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Medication Disposal

medication disposal unit

Stow residents have have a free, safe method to dispose of unused or expired prescription medication.

APPROVED ITEMS: • Prescription • Medication Samples • Veterinary Medications • Narcotics

NON APPROVED ITEMS: • Needles (any type) • IV Bags • Personal Care Products • Hydrogen Peroxide • Inhalers • Thermometers & • Other Mercury Items • Liquids. 

The F.D.A., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of American and the American Pharmacists Association all implore you to dispose of your over the counter medication properly by taking a few measures to ensure it is safely disposed of in your trash:

  1. Examine the medicine. Sometimes, older liquid medicines can solidify. If this happens or the liquid seems thick at all, add some water and shake. If you have to, break up lumps with a fork or spoon.
  2. Put into a sealable bag. Food storage bags work well for this purpose. Regardless of what you may have heard, DO NOT CRUSH your pills. Crushing your OTC pills can release tiny particles into the air that you and your family will unwittingly inhale, which may lead to unwanted side effects.
  3. Add something undesirable. Combine the medicine with something completely unappetizing like cat litter, coffee grounds, or dirt and debris from your vacuum cleaner. Someone who is just experimenting with substances is not likely to dig through something disgusting to get to your pills. Also, the debris may help hide the pills from sight.
  4. Seal and toss. Once the bag is completely sealed, toss the bag into the trash can.

Empty Containers (these are safe to dispose of in your regular recyling bin)

Eliminating unused and unwanted medications from your home helps to keep your family and community safe. By properly disposing of your prescriptions, you are contributing to the safety and well-being of your community’s youth: the abuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications are on the rise, due in part because these drugs are easily accessible. According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) more than 2.1 million teens ages 12 to 17 reported abusing prescription drugs. Environmental safety is also important; by properly disposing of these toxic medicines we are working towards reducing our carbon footprint. You are now able to drop these items at your local police department where they will be disposed of according to safety and environmental standards. Clean out your medicine cabinet today!