Reuse & Recycle

Note: Medicine Disposal is not available at SCARCE. Please see list below for locations.

Why is Proper Medication Disposal Important?

Fish Pharm, shows concentrations of medicine found in fish from the north branch of the Chicago River. Source: National Geographic Magazine, April 2010

Don’t Rush to Flush!

Evidence shows that flushing medicines down the toilet pollutes our waterways, including those we use for drinking water. “Don’t rush to flush!” is the new mantra.

To protect water quality and public safety, medicines should be taken for disposal at a verified collection site. Collected medicine is incinerated, which destroys the active ingredients. Learn more about the importance of safe medicine disposal here.

How Do I Properly Dispose of Medicine?

How to Dispose of Medicine

Medicine that is no longer needed can be disposed of at a number of locations in DuPage County, including police stations. See the list below. This list of DuPage County police stations changes frequently as the program expands. Be sure to check with your local station to verify collection details.

Many pharmacies and medical centers have collection bins as well! Visit www.medtakebackillinois.org to find one close to you.

Note: These locations are intended for household use only. They are not intended for commercial, business, or medical facility use.

Empty all the pills into a resealable, plastic bag (such as Ziploc). Liquid medicine should stay in the original container and be enclosed in a separate bag. Empty bottles or containers should be thrown in the trash. Collection sites have limited space and need to prioritize disposal of medicines, not packaging.

Accepted Items

Items Not Accepted

• Sharps/needles
• Mercury thermometers
• Bio-hazardous materials (wound dressings)
• Radioactive medicines
• Prescription & Over-the-Counter Inhalers (check with your drop-off location)
• Other household wastes
• Medical wastes from businesses

Where Do I Take Medicine for Disposal?

Police Stations with Ongoing Collections

All collection boxes are available 24/7 unless otherwise indicated.

Other Medicine Collection Sites

Looking to Dispose of Sharps?

Put sharps in a tightly sealed, hard plastic container (preferably opaque) such as a plastic milk jug, plastic laundry detergent container, or plastic coffee container. No glass or metal containers. Households can drop the containers off at any of the locations listed below:

• Glenside Fire Department, 1608 Bloomingdale Rd, Glendale Heights (M-F 8am-4:30pm)
• Roselle Fire Department, 100 E. Maple Ave, Roselle (24/7, preferably before 6pm)
• Westmont Fire Department,  500 N. Cass Ave, Westmont (M-F 8am-4pm) – Westmont residents only. Currently not accepting EpiPens.

Medicine collection programs in DuPage County were started by SCARCE with support from the DuPage Foundation.