Medicine Disposal

Unused, unwanted and expired medicines in your home pose a risk to you, your family and your community. Accidental poisonings and overdoses are a leading cause of injury death in Snohomish County. Improper disposal of medicine - such as putting medicines in the garbage or flushing pills down the toilet - puts other people and our environment at risk.

SAFE MEDICATION RETURN

Snohomish County residents have options for returning unwanted or expired pharmaceuticals, including the Safe Medication Return Program.

ACCEPTED MEDICATION

Kiosks accept medicines sold in any form, prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, controlled substances, and pet medications.

MEDICATION NOT ACCEPTED

DROP-OFF KIOSK LOCATIONS

For a complete list of locations, hours and addresses, visit MedTakeBackWashington.org or call 844-4-TakeBack (844-482-5322). Drop-off kiosks cannot accept sharps that contain medication. You can return these using free, prepaid, preaddressed injector mailers.

Pharmacies, hospitals, and law enforcement can host Safe Medication Return drop-off kiosks. All costs are paid for by drug manufacturers. If you are interested in participating, the state department of health has more information about hosting a Safe Medication Return drop-off kiosk.

Medication return mailers

Free, prepaid, and preaddressed mailers are available at MedTakeBackWashington.org or by calling 844-4-TakeBack (844-482-5322). You can dispose of anything Safe Medication Return accepts using mailers.

DISPOSING OF USED NEEDLES OR SHARPS

Snohomish County residents may participate in a Sharps Collection Pilot Program. One (1) container per person, per week of residential sharps in an approved, sealed, labeled container may be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Station for free disposal. No business or commercial sharps are allowed.

You may also ask your local pharmacy if they can provide new sharps containers or accept filled containers for disposal.

Any type of sharp medical instrument that comes into contact with blood or other body fluids is considered a sharp and has the potential to spread infection. This includes any hypodermic needle, syringes with the needles attached, lancets and scalpel blades.

State and local laws prohibit placing loose sharps in your trash. If you use syringes to treat diabetes, allergies or other medical conditions, the loose syringes you throw in your trash can hurt people or be used illegally. Many pharmacies sell sharps containers and accept properly contained used sharps, usually for a fee.