Safe Medicine Disposal

The Safe Medicine Disposal Program has been jointly operated by RRWA and local agencies since 2003. Residents of Sonoma and Mendocino County can dispose of their unused, expired, or otherwise unwanted medications free of charge at participating take-back locations. Protect your family and the environment by properly disposing of your unwanted medications. Learn more at SafeMedicineDisposal.org.

Don’t flush your unused medications down the toilet or throw them in the trash! Recent studies show that pharmaceuticals in rivers and streams, if present at high enough concentrations, can harm aquatic wildlife. When flushed down the drain, some medications are not completely removed by wastewater treatment plants and are discharged to surface waters.

Ready to dispose of your unwanted medications?

ITEMS ACCEPTED:

Controlled substances: See the list of controlled substances.
Prescription and over-the-counter-pills and capsules
Liquid medications, including ointments, lotions & creams (in sealed containers)
Veterinary medications
Vitamins, supplements, homeopathic remedies
Medical patches
Inhalers (empty)
Medical samples

ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED:

IV bags
Bloody or infectious waste
Personal care products (body lotion, shampoo etc.)
Aerosol cans
Epi-pens and other needles/sharps (https://zerowastesonoma.gov/materials/sharps-needles?locale=en)
See Household Hazardous Waste Facility for Residents and related programs. Sharps/needles are accepted at all locations.
See Sharps/needles (business only)
Thermometers
Illegal drugs
Medical marijuana
Chemotherapy drugs (Ask your health care provider for disposal options.)
Pill bottles
Iodine-containing medications
Any other waste or medication not listed under “Items Accepted”

How to Participate

Bring unwanted medication to a participating location for safe disposal during business hours.

Remove medication from containers and deposit in the disposal bin. Locations in stores will be near the pharmacy.

Drop Off Locations:

Please Note:

* Controlled substances are NOT accepted at locations with an asterisk

These locations ONLY offer free mail-back envelopes

Please call locations for up-to-date information.

How to Dispose of Home-Generated Sharps Waste:

MED-Project: sharps waste containers and mail-back services
The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation: sharps waste containers and mail-back services

Cotati

Cotati Police Department
203 West Sierra Ave.
707-792-4611

Cloverdale

Police Department
112 Broad Street
707-894-2150

Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg Police Department
250 Cypress St.
707-961-2800

Guerneville

Lark’s Drugs
16251 Main St.
707-869-9055

Healdsburg

Healdsburg District Hospital
1375 University Ave.
707 431-6500

Healdsburg Police Department
238 Center St.
707-431-3377

Petaluma

* Household Toxics Facility
Central Disposal Site (Bldg 5)
500 Mecham Rd.
707-795-2025
(Cannot accept controlled substances)

Petaluma Police Department
969 Petaluma Blvd. N
707- 778-4372

Rohnert Park

Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety
500 City Center Dr.
707-584-2693

Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa Police Station
965 Sonoma Ave.
707-543-3600
24-hour drop-off

County of Sonoma Department of Health Services
Environmental Health and Safety
625 5th Street
707-565-6565

Sebastopol

Sebastopol Police Station
6850 Laguna Park Way
707-829-4400

Sonoma

Sonoma Police Station
175 1st Street W
707-996-3602

Ukiah

Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office
951 Low Gap Rd.
707-463-4411

Police Department
300 Seminary Ave.
707-463-6242

* Senior Center
495 Leslie St.
707-462-4343

Willits

Willits Police Department
125 E. Commercial St.
707-459-6122

* Howard Pharmacy
3 Marcela Dr.
707-459-6801

* Baechtel Creek Medical Clinic
1245 S. Main Street
707-459-6861

Windsor

Windsor Police Department
9291 Old Redwood Highway, #300
707-838-1234

Health First
9091 Windsor Rd.
707-837-7948

Other Locations

DEA-Controlled Substance Public Disposal Locations
MED-Project: map of authorized collection sites and mail-back services
The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation: map of authorized collection sites and mail-back services

The California Drug Take-Back Program is funded by California Department of Health Care Services’ MAT Expansion Project and developed and administered in partnership with the California Product Stewardship Council .

The Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority accepts unused medicine through their HazMobile Program in Mendocino and Lake Counties. Call 707-468-9704 for further information.

The Sonoma County Waste Management Agency accepts unused medicine at their household toxics facility and through their mobile collection programs.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days

Dispose of medications, including controlled substances, at special one-day collection events sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Visit DEA Take Back Day for more information.