Medications

Pills, tablets, and capsules can be properly disposed of through the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office Rx Drug Drop Box Program. Residents can deposit unused, unwanted, or expired prescription drugs at drop boxes at law enforcement agencies throughout Cuyahoga County and all four campuses of Cuyahoga Community College. To find a drop-off location, visit www.RXdrugdropbox.org  or dial 211. You can also use this website’s geolocation services or choose your community from the green ‘Select a City’ drop-down at the top of the page and click 'See Details.' 

Needles, sharps, lancets, and syringes are not accepted in the Drop Box. For information on proper disposal, see Needles and Sharps.

Liquid medications are not accepted in the Sheriff's Rx Drop Box Program. Properly dispose of liquid medication by mixing it with coffee grounds, cat litter, dirt, or sawdust to make it undesirable or unusable. Once the liquid is unusable, place it in the regular trash for proper disposal. Do not flush liquid medications into our sewer system or waterways. 

Do not put e-cigarettes or vaping products in your household trash or recycling. Contact your local police department or law enforcement agency about the disposal of e-cigarettes, vape pens, or vaping products.

 

Special Collection Events

Seasonally, the U.S. DEA holds National Prescription Drug Take Back days to collect unwanted medications. In 2024, events will be held on April 27 and October 26. Learn moreabout the DEA collection events.

 

Our partners at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District host seasonal Pitch Those Pills collection events at select Discount Drug Mart locations. Pills, capsules, and liquids are accepted for proper disposal. Rx collection events will be held in 2024. 

• May 1: Discount Drug Mart, 6148 Dunham Road, Maple Heights 44137
• June 5: Discount Drug Mart, 6115 State Road, Parma 44134
• July 10: Discount Drug Mart, 24485 Lorain Road, North Olmsted, 44070
• August 7: Discount Drug Mart, 9318 Broadview Road, Broadview Heights 44147
• September 4: Discount Drug Mart, 6160 Brecksville Road, Independence 44131

Hospital and Pharmacy Collections

Cleveland Clinic has 14 medication drop boxes at its Northeast Ohio locations, including the Children’s Hospital, Euclid Avenue, and Taussig Outpatient pharmacies at its main campus in Cleveland. The health system also has drop boxes at its family health centers and regional hospitals. See more about the medication disposal kiosks. Prescription medications, including aerosols, liquids in sealed containers, tablets, capsules, creams, and lotions, are accepted. Disposal kiosks are available during regular pharmacy hours.

MetroHealth has public drop-offs for unused prescription drugs at its Cleveland Heights and Parma medical centers. There are drop boxes located in the emergency rooms at each of those locations. See details.
 

Walgreens offers the Safe Medication Disposal Program. Drop-box receptacles at local Walgreens pharmacies are available during regular pharmacy hours. Locations in Cuyahoga County include:

• Walgreens Cleveland: 4265 State Road
• Walgreens Cleveland: 16803 Lorain Avenue
• Walgreens Euclid: 22401 Lake Shore Boulevard
• Walgreens Lakewood: 11701 Detroit Avenue
• Walgreens Parma: 5400 Pearl Road 

CVS and other pharmacies offer drop boxes and mail-back programs for medications. Check at the in-store pharmacy for information.

 

Donate Insulin and Medication

Consider donating usable insulin and unused diabetic supplies to Insulin for Life USA or a local animal shelter. 

 

SafeNetRx accepts unused medicines from health systems and homes. The organization responsibly collects and distributes meds to clinics and pharmacies serving patients struggling with medication insecurity. Learn more.

 

Disposal of Pill Bottles

Recycle

Empty over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin and pill bottles can be recycled curbside, as long as they are larger than 2" in diameter. The bottles should be empty, clean, and dry before recycling.

Reuse/Donate

Translucent orange prescription bottles can be donated to organizations for reuse. Locally, MedWish International and Upcycle Parts Shop will accept empty and clean Rx bottles with labels and adhesives removed. Call ahead to ensure that empty bottles are currently being accepted. Consider donating to an animal shelter or use a mail-back program through Matthew 25 Ministries. Bottles that hold prescription medications should be empty, clean, and dry before donating. Remove stickers or redact personal information on the bottle before donation or disposal. If prescription bottles cannot be reused, place them in the regular trash. 

Trash

Blue and green prescription bottles, typically from a veterinarian's office, should be placed in the regular trash.

 

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Looking to recycle, donate, or dispose of other items? Use the dark blue 'What Do I Do With?' search bar at the top of every page of this website. Allow location services or use the city drop-down to find opportunities in your local area.