Prescription Medication Disposal
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages residents to use drug take-back programs. Flushing prescription medications or pouring them down the sink can create the potential for harmful chemicals to end up in waterways and drinking water.
The following types of medication are accepted through the Drug Take-Back Act Program:
- Prescription drugs of any brand, including generics (take-back kiosks or mail-in)
- This includes Schedule II-V Controlled Substances
- Over-the-counter drugs of any brand, including generics (take-back kiosks or mail-in)
- Pre-filled injectors that contain medication (mail-in only)
- Medical inhalers (mail-in only)
The following types of materials are NOT accepted through the Drug Take-Back Act Program:
- Vitamins and other dietary supplements (trash if unwanted/expired)
- Herbal and homeopathic products (trash if unwanted/expired)
- Personal care products and cosmetics (donate unopened, trash if opened/expired)
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- Personal care products that are jointly regulated as OTC drugs including toothpaste, sunscreen and medicated shampoos or lotions are also not accepted
- Schedule I Controlled Substances (i.e. illicit drugs)
- Empty pre-filled injectors, needles and medical sharps
- Medical devices/equipment
- Empty containers
Following is a list of local pharmacies that accept unused medication:
CVS
- 765 E. State St., Geneva, IL
Meijer
- 855 S. Randall Rd., St. Charles, IL
Walgreens
- 2751 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL
- 3351 W. Main St., St. Charles, IL
- 2100 W. State St., Geneva, IL
Find more information and locations at this IEPA link: https://medtakebackillinois.org/.
Sharps Disposal
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's (IEPA) fact sheet on sharps disposal guidelines provides a hierarchy of disposal methods. The first choice should be to drop them off at a designated collection site. If that isn't available or feasible, the second choice should be to use a mail-in program. If that isn't available or feasible, the third and final choice should be to dispose (carefully prepared) sharps in household trash.
The Kane County Coroner's office, located at 37W699 IL-38, St. Charles, IL 60175, offers a sharps disposal program to residents of Kane County. Their hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. Proof of residency is required for each drop-off.