Safe Disposal of Unwanted Medications in Leon County
Unused, unwanted, and expired medications can pose a risk to our families, our community, and the environment. Medicines left in the home can be accidentally ingested, misused, or taken by someone for whom they were not prescribed. Improper disposal can also allow pharmaceutical compounds to enter the environment.
Residents of Tallahassee and Leon County are encouraged to regularly clean out their medicine cabinets and properly dispose of medications they no longer need.
The Best Option: Use a Medication Take-Back Program
Medication take-back programs provide a safe and convenient way to dispose of unwanted or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications. Collected medications are securely handled and destroyed through approved disposal methods.
Operation Medicine Cabinet
Twice each year, the Southern Waste Information eXchange, Inc. (SWIX) works with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Costco, and other community partners to provide Operation Medicine Cabinet for Tallahassee and Leon County residents.
The free collection event is held at:
Costco
4067 Lagniappe Way
Tallahassee, Florida 32317
Operation Medicine Cabinet gives residents an easy opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets and safely dispose of unwanted and unneeded medications.
The program helps:
- Prevent accidental poisoning and ingestion
- Reduce opportunities for prescription drug misuse
- Keep medications out of the hands of children and others for whom they were not prescribed
- Protect our water resources and environment from improper disposal
- Provide residents with a safe and responsible alternative to keeping unwanted medications in the home
There is no charge to participate.
Watch for announcements regarding the next Operation Medicine Cabinet collection event or to be added to our email notice send an email to [email protected] to be added to our database.
Year-Round Medication Drop-Off Locations
Residents who cannot attend Operation Medicine Cabinet do not have to wait for the next event. Leon County identifies several permanent DEA-authorized medication collection locations in Tallahassee:
Eastwood Pharmacy (No Liquids, No Sharps)
1605 E Plaza Dr.
Leon Pharmacy (No Liquids, No Sharps)
8165 Woodville Hwy
CVS Pharmacy
3479 Thomasville Road
CVS Pharmacy
5466 Thomasville Road N.
CVS Pharmacy
5670 North Monroe Street
CVS Pharmacy
3644 Coolidge Court
Wallgreens
3531 Thomasville Road
Because collection programs and hours can change, residents should contact the location before visiting to confirm that its medication collection receptacle is currently available and that the type of medication they wish to dispose of is accepted.
Residents can also use the DEA’s year-round collection-site locator to search for additional authorized medication disposal locations.
What Should I Do With My Medications?
Whenever possible, use an authorized medication take-back location or community collection event rather than placing medications in the household trash.
Before dropping off medications, remove or black out personal information from prescription labels to protect your privacy.
Acceptance requirements can vary by collection program. Residents should check with the collection site or event regarding liquids, inhalers, needles, syringes, medical sharps, and other special items.
Do Not Flush Medications
Unless a medication has specific FDA instructions stating otherwise, residents should avoid flushing unwanted medications down the toilet or pouring them down a sink or drain.
Using a medication take-back program helps ensure that pharmaceuticals are securely managed and keeps unnecessary medications out of our homes and environment.
If a Take-Back Option Is Not Available
If you cannot reach a medication collection site or attend a take-back event, unwanted medications can generally be placed in household trash using precautions to discourage accidental ingestion or misuse:
- Remove or obscure personal information from the prescription label.
- Mix the medication with an undesirable material such as used coffee grounds, dirt, or cat litter.
- Place the mixture in a sealed container or plastic bag.
- Conceal the container before placing it in your household trash.
- Do not place medications in your recycling bin.
Need to Dispose of Needles or Medical Sharps?
Do not place loose needles, syringes, or lancets in medication collection boxes or household recycling.
The Florida Department of Health in Leon County provides a low-cost medical sharps disposal program for residents. Sharps containers can be obtained and returned when full through the Department of Health program.
Florida Department of Health in Leon County
1515 Old Bainbridge Road
Tallahassee, Florida
Phone: (850) 404-6400
Important: Leon County’s Hazardous Waste Center Does Not Accept Prescription Drugs
Prescription medications and medical waste should not be taken to the Leon County Household Hazardous Waste Center on Apalachee Parkway. The facility does not accept prescription drugs or medical waste.
Instead, use Operation Medicine Cabinet, a DEA-authorized permanent collection location, or another approved medication take-back program.
Help Keep Leon County Safe
Cleaning out your medicine cabinet is a simple step that can make a difference.
By properly disposing of medications you no longer need, you can help protect children and families, prevent medication misuse, reduce accidental poisonings, and protect Florida’s environment and water resources.
Clean it out. Drop it off. Keep it safe.