Disposal of Unwanted or Expired Medications

How can I properly dispose of expired/unwanted medications? The programs below take back prescription, over-the-counter, veterinary, controlled substances, herbs, and vitamins... no questions asked. They simply request you leave in original bottle and black out your name with a permanent black marker. Everything received (including drug and container) are incinerated. This helps keeps medications out of our waste stream and off the street.

Take back programs: Click the links to learn more

• Federal Take Back program: conducted twice a year (April & Oct)
• CT Community Take Back programs:
• Drop box 
• Licensed police departments:

Can’t find a take back program:

• Recommendations from CT Drug Control on Proper Disposal of Medications: Download here >
• Recommendations from CT DEP on Proper Disposal of Medical Supplies: Download here >
• Recommendations from FDA on Proper Disposal of Medications: Download here > 

What do I do with sharps/needles?

• Open, read and download the CT Deptartment of Environmental Protection Brochure - Don't Stick Us With Your Sharps. 
• Place in a puncture-proof, hard plastic container with a screw-on cap, like a bleach or detergent bottle
• Seal the container with the original lid and wrap with duct tape.
• Place the tightly sealed container in a bag and put it in your trash.
• DO NOT put the container in your recycling bin!
• Click to read CT DEP recommendations for disposal of sharps at home 
• Click to read recommendations and view resources from the FDA
• Sharp Container mail-back programs for patients at home

What about other hazardous waste disposal (NON-drug/NON-sharps)?

• CT Community hazardous waste collections (NON-drug/NON-sharps): Download here >