Safe Medication Disposal | Walgreens
Safely dispose of unused medications
Protect your family against misuse of medications by safely disposing of prescription and OTC medications at select Walgreens pharmacies.
How it works
Simply bring your unwanted, unused or expired medication to a Walgreens safe medication disposal kiosk and drop it in—just like putting a letter in a mailbox.
Medication Disposal List
Accepted
- Prescription medications, ointments and patches
- OTC medications, ointments, lotions and liquids
- Pet medications
- Vitamins
- Aerosol cans
- Inhalers
Not Accepted
- Needles and thermometers
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Illegal drugs
Safe disposal options
Medications can be harmful if they are kept where others can use them accidentally or on purpose. Safely disposing of unwanted or expired medications is an important step in helping to ensure medications are not accidentally used or intentionally misused by someone else. Here are some safe disposal options:
DisposeRx packets
DisposeRx packets make it safe to throw medication in your home trash. The packets have a powder that you mix with water right in the medication bottle so that the medication becomes unusable and safe for the environment. To get DisposeRx packets for your medications, just ask in any Walgreens pharmacy. For additional information, visit DisposeRx.com.
Medication disposal kiosks
Almost 1,500 Walgreens pharmacies offer kiosks where you can bring your unwanted, unused or expired medication and drop it in. The kiosks accept most prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Find a location
Be smart with medication
Follow instructions
Read and follow labels; ask questions if you're unsure
Keep a list
Review with your healthcare provider each visit
Store properly
Keep in a cool, dry place out of reach of children
Use 1 pharmacy
Make it easier for them to spot any issues
FAQ
When can I drop off my medications?
Safe medication disposal kiosks are available during all regular pharmacy hours.
Who collects the medication?
We work with a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-authorized vendor to collect and safely dispose of the medications.
Why aren't there kiosks in all states? Will you add more locations?
We are installing safe medication disposal kiosks in pharmacies where state regulations allow our program to operate. Our goal is to continue to review the remaining states and work with regulators to allow individuals to have an easy, convenient and free way to safely dispose of their medications. Currently our kiosk program is operating in 46 states (excluded: AK, CT, HI, ND and Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands). We are continuously re-evaluating the program/locations for possible expansion. Locations without a kiosk can offer patients a free drug disposal option with DisposeRX.
How else is Walgreens encouraging safe medication disposal?
Walgreens continues to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Days held twice a year.
*Walgreens pharmacies in Iowa and Nebraska without safe medication disposal kiosks offer alternative drug disposal options available upon request in the pharmacy at no cost.