Medication Drop-Off
Safe and Convenient Medication Drop-Off Services
A medication drop-off service provides a convenient and safe way to get rid of any unused or expired medicine you have lying around your house. All it requires is taking your old medication to a drop-off site and depositing it in a secure kiosk, with most locations taking them back for free.
Medical Waste Pros is dedicated to providing a secure and responsible solution for the disposal of unused or expired medications. Recognizing the importance of proper medication disposal in safeguarding public health and the environment, our service offers a convenient way for individuals, healthcare facilities, and communities to dispose of pharmaceuticals.
With strategically located drop-off points, we aim to make the process simple and accessible, ensuring that medications are handled and discarded in an environmentally friendly and regulation-compliant manner. Join us in promoting a culture of responsible medication disposal and contributing to a safer, healthier future for our communities.
All of Our Pharmaceutical Waste Services
Medication Drop-Off
Find a medication drop-off location near you using our directory. If you have controlled substances, call the location before driving over to ensure they accept these types of medications.
Regularly Scheduled Pickups
If you have a significant amount of pharmaceuticals to dispose of, our regularly scheduled service allows you to plan for ongoing pickup of medical waste. We schedule a time with your facility and will pick up and dispose of your pharmaceuticals based on your schedule, no matter if it’s daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly.
On-Call Pickups
We offer on-call service for emergencies or facilities that don’t need pharmaceutical pickups regularly (or only have a small amount that needs to be collected periodically). This service is identical to our regularly scheduled service but can be scheduled periodically whenever you need it.
Pill Bottle Recycling
A mail-back pill bottle recycling service is another safe, secure option to dispose of your medical waste properly. Utilizing a mail-back system is an efficient way to collect, return, and recycle your empty pill bottles.
Which Service is Right For You?
Use our FREE Medical Waste Wizard to find the right document scanning or records storage service for your project.
Why Choose Medical Waste Pros
Fast Turnaround
Get matched to a partner in 3-5 minutes. They will work with you to get a quote based on your specifications.
Nationwide Coverage
We have partners all over the United States.
Partnered with the Best
We have partners nationwide providing you with the best, secure options in your area.
Contact us for a free quote today!
What is Hazardous Pharmaceutical Waste?
Any expired, unused, or unneeded pharmaceuticals are going to be regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency along with your State Health Department. The things in pharmaceuticals that help people can be just as hazardous to the environment. Since most medicines are high concentrations, and those concentrations generally don’t degrade over time, there’s a tremendous danger if they’re not disposed of properly.
Certain requirements must be met for a pharmaceutical to be classified as hazardous waste:
- The sole active ingredient in the pharmaceutical that needs to be disposed of is listed by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) as a hazardous waste,
- It contains ingredient(s) that result in the pharmaceutical exhibiting characteristics of hazardous waste (ignitable, corrosive, reactive/explosive, or toxic/radioactive), which requires that it be treated as hazardous waste under RCRA.
- The material is already regulated by your state environmental agency.
If any or all of these items apply, you should take the proper steps to ensure you are disposing of them properly. That’s where Medical Waste Pros can help!
Residential Medical Waste Disposal
How Medication Drop-off Services Work
- Find a medication drop-off location using our directory or find a drug take-back program through the FDA.
- Before dropping off your medication, first, ensure that the medication is truly unneeded or expired. Once you drop off the medication, there’s no getting it back.
- Make sure to remove any personal or identifiable information from the pill bottle or packaging. While the bottles will get destroyed as well, it’s important to keep your private information safe.
- All the medication you take to the drop-off site will be properly and safely disposed of.
Why It’s Important to Dispose of Expired and Unused Medication Properly
Prevent of Accidental Poisoning
Expired or unused medications may lose their effectiveness and, in some cases, can become harmful. Proper disposal helps prevent accidental ingestion, especially by children, pets, or individuals who may mistakenly use medications that are no longer safe.
Protect the Environment
Disposing of medications inappropriately, such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, can result in the release of pharmaceutical residues into water systems and soil. Safe disposal methods minimize environmental contamination and protect ecosystems from potential harm.
Preserve Water Quality
Flushing medications down the toilet can contribute to the contamination of water sources. Proper disposal prevents the introduction of pharmaceuticals into water supplies, safeguarding water quality and minimizing potential harm to aquatic life.
Comply with State and Federal Regulations
Many regions have specific regulations governing the disposal of pharmaceutical waste. Proper disposal ensures compliance with these regulations, reducing the risk of legal consequences and penalties for individuals and healthcare facilities.
Contact us for a free quote today!
See What Our Customers Are Saying
Medication Disposal FAQs
Which pharmaceuticals are considered hazardous waste?
Some examples of pharmaceuticals that may be considered hazardous waste include:
- Chemotherapy Drugs
- Warfarin and Other Anticoagulants
- Nicotine Replacement Therapies
- Certain Antibiotics and Antimicrobials
- Certain Hazardous Chemicals:
- Narcotics and Controlled Substances
- Hormones and Steroids
Can’t we just flush our pharmaceuticals?
No, you can’t flush every type of medication. Once one of your pharmaceuticals has expired or you no longer need it, it’s important to check if it contains a hazardous chemical that needs a specific disposal method so it won’t contaminate the environment. You can also check out the FDA’s Flush List to see which medications are okay to flush that won’t harm the environment.
What do I do with empty pill bottles?
Pill bottles can instead be taken to a local recycling center that accepts #5 plastics to be exclusively disposed of. Medical Waste Pros also offers a mail-back option. With the help of Ship N Shred, you can safely recycle all of your empty pill bottles. All you have to do is fill a box with your empty pill bottles, go to Ship N Shred’s website to follow the ordering instructions and schedule a pickup from FedEx. Your pill bottles will be picked up and taken to a secure facility for safe disposal and recycling. With this service, you can track the process from start to finish.
What is a drug take-back event?
A drug take-back event is put on by your city or country government’s household trash and recycling service. They accept prescription and over-the-counter drugs at a central location for proper disposal. You can find an event near you through the FDA’s website.
What other types of medical waste do you handle?
Medical Waste Pros can handle a variety of medical waste across different industries, including:
How much does a medical waste disposal service cost?
The price of your medical waste disposal service will depend on the method you choose, the type of waste you have, the amount of waste you have, and other factors. When you contact us with the details of your project, our service providers will send you accurate price quotes for your specific needs.
Does Medical Waste Pros use safe medical waste disposal methods?
Yes, all of our service providers follow all state and federal regulations when it comes to disposing of medical waste. They use methods such as autoclaving, chemical treatments, and EPA-approved incineration.
Can I just throw my medical waste away?
No, you can’t throw away medical waste. There are state and federal laws, including OSHA, FDA, DOT, and the EPA, that regulate how to dispose of medical waste. These regulations were put in place for your safety, in terms of the environment and health effects of improper disposal.
