How to Safely Dispose of Medication
To minimize accidental consumption or misuse, the FDA and EPA recommend removing medications from the home as soon as they're not needed. But please don't turn to the toilet to get rid of them. Flushing or tossing medications in the trash can cause harm to local waterways, and the animals that depend on them.
For the safe disposal of pharmaceutical and over-the-counter drugs, you'll want to use one of the secure drop-off boxes located at Chicago Police stations, or take them to the Household Chemical and Computer Recycling Facility.
Citywide Drop-Box Locations
Through a partnership between the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Police Department, convenient pharmaceutical drop-boxes are now located over 20 Chicago Police Stations citywide.
Image ©City of ChicagoAvailable 24/7, all types of prescription medications and over the counter medicines are accepted. Look for the blue drop-box in the lobby.
Tip: It's a good security practice to cross off any personal identifying information on prescription medication bottles before dropping them off.
The HCCRF
If you don't want to go to a police station, pharmaceuticals, as well as other toxic household chemicals, can also be dropped off at the City's Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility (HCCRF) during normal business hours.
As the name implies, the HCCRF also accepts hazardous household chemicals and old computer equipment. It's a great one-stop destination if you're looking to declutter. See the full list of items accepted at the HCCRF.
Taking the CTA? The HCCRF front entrance is about a two-minute walk from the North Branch stop on the #70 Division bus.
LOCATION:
Household Chemicals & Computer Recycling Facility
1150 N. Branch Street [map]
HOURS:
Tuesdays (7:00 am to 12:00 pm)
Thursdays (2:00 pm to 7:00 pm)
First Saturday of every month (8:00 am to 3:00 pm)
Last Resort: How to Dispose of Medication in the Trash
If you're unable to make it to a police station or the HCCRF, as a last resort the FDA recommends the method below for disposing of medicines in the trash:
Image ©FDA
Leave medication whole (don't open capsules or crush pills) and mix them with an inedible substance like kitty litter, dirt, or used coffee grounds.
Place the medication in a sealed container like a plastic bag.
Toss the container in the trash bin
Cross out your medical information on the prescription container, and place that in the trash too.
The method above is designed to make the medication undesirable should it be discovered, while keeping the medication contained so that it won't leach out at the landfill.
