Proper Disposal of Household Medications

Some medications can be easily disposed of with regular trash.  Most Medications are not considered Hazardous Waste!  Do not bring unused or unwanted medication to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection.
 
SHARPS and NEEDLES are always accepted at HHW events.

Avoid flushing unused medications down the toilet and into the waste water treatment system.  This makes water treatment more difficult for the processing plants.

Always remove personal identification from medication bottles and containers.

Before you dispose of the medications, there are a few necessary steps that will promote worker safety.  This applies to both prescription and over-the-counter medications.

LIQUID	Empty liquid medication onto absorbent paper towels or rags and disposed of with regular trash.
PILLS	Crush pills and dispose of powdered medication with regular trash.
PROPELLANT INHALER	Empty container by expelling all propellant.  Dispose of small empty cylinder in trash.
SHARPS/NEEDLES	Must be placed and secured in an approved sharps disposal container and brought to any Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.  FREE Labels can be printed HERE and are available at the HHW collections or by calling (951) 486-3200 Riverside County residents can place sharps in a hard sided PLASTIC container like a bleach or laundry detergent bottle with a secure lid.  Place a label on the container that identifies - "Biohazard", secure the lid, and tape the container closed. Then bring container to a HHW collection event.  Legislation requires all sharps must be placed in an approved container, beginning in 2008.