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Disposal of Expired or Unused Medications (Prescribed or Over-the-Counter)

Updated: 6.6.11

Many individuals need to dispose of expired or unused medications, which have been prescribed by their physician or purchased over-the-counter. Some pharmacies have policies to accept expired or unused medications. If your pharmacy does not accept medication returns, follow these recommendations for safely disposing of the medicine:

  1. Liquids: Pour liquid medication into a plastic bag or a container that can be sealed.
    Solids: Put pills, capsules and other solid medication in a plastic bag or container.  Water can be added to dissolve them.
  2. Add in used coffee grounds, kitty litter or some other material that makes the medication less appealing to children and pets to eat.
  3. Tightly seal the plastic bag or container and dispose of it in the trash for collection by the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works. The County landfills are lined to prevent environmental contamination.

Never dispose of unused or expired medications through your sewer or septic system.

For more information, call the Bureau of Environmental Health, Anne Arundel County Department of Health, at 410-222-7364.

For information about trash collection or landfills, call the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works at 410-222-6100.