Medicine and Prescription Drugs Alternative ways to recycle Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Scroll to the bottom for recycling information on empty #5 plastic pill bottles. Unused, unwanted and expired medications (including narcotics) should NEVER go in the recycling, trash or toilet, but can be taken for responsible disposal to one of the following: medtakebackcalifornia.org Los Angeles County Take Back location map LA County HHW collection events (Burbank’s annual event is in early September) DEA Annual Take Back events at Burbank Police Department (April and October) S.A.F.E. Collection Centers State listing of collection take back drop off locations Local Retailer Take Back: Some pharmacy retailers now have convenient collection for used medications at 24 hour locations. (sharps are not allowed) CVS #09795: 511 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank Walgreens #6700: 5224 Coldwater Canyon Ave., Van Nuys Retailer locator More Information on Med Drop Off in California: PILL BOTTLES: EMPTY pill bottles that are made of #5 plastic are too small to recycle curbside (they fall through our recycling machines during the sorting processs), however, they can be dropped off for recycling at the Burbank Recycle Center and placed in our #5 plastic collection bin (since these are already sorted). Please keep the lid and the bottle together. Remember, only EMPTY #5 bottles will be accepted. It is recommended to remove the labels with any resident information. Other options: Mail in program: Matthew 25: Ministries Good Rx Health article with plenty of suggestions. Don’t Flush Down the Toilet Drugs dissolve when they are flushed down the toilet and can contaminate drinking water sources. Always Scratch Out Personal Information To protect your identity and privacy, scratch out any identifying information before disposing of empty or filled containers. Any empty bottles can be thrown in the trash. Alternative Ways to Recycle Give to a DEA-Authorized Collector Some pharmacies and law enforcement offices are registered with the DEA as authorized drug collectors. You can drop-off unused or unwanted drugs at these locations. Find a DEA-authorized disposal location. Walgreens Safe Medication Disposal Program Select Walgreens locations now have kiosks for safe medication disposal. Find a kiosk here. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Each April and October the DEA hosts a nationwide drug take back day. Find a drop off location and the date of the next take back day. Pill Bottle Donation Donate empty plastic pill bottles to Matthew 25: Ministries for inclusion in shipments of medical supplies and for shredding and recycling. Ways to Reuse Repurpose Empty Pill Bottles Put empty pill bottles to good use by repurposing them as travel containers and organizers for items such as cotton swabs, bobby pins, spare buttons, mini sewing kits, jewelry, coins, earbuds, and other knickknacks and supplies. Did You Know? Don't Rush to Flush Unwanted Medications - English Video Don't Rush to Flush Unwanted Medications - Spanish Video
