How to Prepare Unused Medications for Take-Back Events: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Stuart Moore 8 December 2025 14

Every year, millions of unused pills, patches, and liquids sit in medicine cabinets across the U.S.-not because they’re needed, but because people don’t know how to get rid of them safely. Flushing them down the toilet or tossing them in the trash might seem easy, but it’s dangerous. These drugs can end up in water supplies, be found by kids or pets, or fall into the hands of someone who shouldn’t have them. That’s why take-back events exist. They’re free, safe, and designed to keep medications out of the wrong hands and out of the environment.

Why Proper Preparation Matters

The DEA launched the first National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in 2010 after a survey found that 70% of people who misused prescription painkillers got them from family or friends. Most of those drugs came from home medicine cabinets. Today, over 16,500 authorized collection sites-like pharmacies, hospitals, and police stations-accept unused medications. In 2024 alone, Stericycle incinerated nearly 30,000 tons of pharmaceutical waste through these programs. That’s not just trash being burned-it’s preventing addiction, overdose, and pollution.

But here’s the problem: only 15% of unused medications are properly disposed of. Why? Because people get confused. Some think they need to remove the pills from the bottle. Others mix everything into a bag. Some forget to hide their name. And when they show up at a collection site, they’re turned away. That’s not just frustrating-it’s dangerous. If you don’t prepare your meds right, they won’t be accepted. And if they’re not taken back, they stay in your home.

Step 1: Remove All Personal Information

This is the most important step-and the one most people mess up. Your name, address, prescription number, and pharmacy details on the bottle are private. Leaving them visible breaks HIPAA rules and makes it easier for someone to steal your identity or misuse your meds.

Use a permanent marker to black out everything on the label. Don’t just scribble over it-cover it completely. If the ink smudges, go over it again. If the label is faded or hard to read, peel it off and write your info on a piece of paper, then tape it to the bottle before covering it. Some people use a white-out pen or cover the label with tape before writing over it. Whatever works, as long as no one can read your name or prescription details.

Don’t rely on just removing the label. The barcode and pharmacy stamp can still be scanned or copied. Cover it all. This step alone will prevent 41% of rejections at collection sites, according to Stericycle’s 2023 data.

Step 2: Keep Medications in Their Original Containers

Most collection sites-92% of them-require medications to stay in their original bottles or packaging. Why? Because it helps staff identify what the drug is. A random pill in a ziplock could be anything: a painkiller, a blood thinner, a sedative. Knowing what it is ensures it’s destroyed properly and safely.

If you still have the bottle, keep it. Even if it’s empty or half-empty, just put the pills back in. For patches, leave them on the foil backing. For liquids, keep them in the original bottle with the cap tightly sealed. If you lost the bottle, you can use a small sealed container like a plastic bottle or a zip-lock bag-but only if the site allows it. Always check first.

Some places, like Walgreens kiosks, are more flexible. But hospitals, police stations, and many pharmacies still require original containers. To be safe, assume you need them unless you know otherwise.

Step 3: Don’t Mix Medications

It’s tempting to dump all your old pills into one bag-antibiotics, vitamins, painkillers, your dog’s flea medication. But don’t. Most collection sites ask you to keep each medication separate. Why? Because mixing can cause chemical reactions, make identification harder, and slow down the disposal process.

If you have multiple pills, put each type in its own container. If you’re using zip-lock bags, label each one with a sticky note: “Lisinopril 10mg,” “Ibuprofen 200mg,” “Insulin pen.” Staff will thank you. The Military Health System strictly forbids mixing-even in their own programs. And while civilian sites are sometimes more relaxed, it’s still the safest way.

Medication bottles arranged on an altar with folded patches and sealed liquids, glowing under candlelight.

Step 4: Know What You Can’t Bring

Not everything goes in the take-back bin. Here’s what’s always rejected:

  • Asthma inhalers and other aerosols (they’re pressurized and can explode)
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Iodine-based medications (like Betadine)
  • Thermometers (especially mercury ones)
  • Illicit drugs (like marijuana or cocaine)
  • Needles and sharps (these go in special sharps containers)

For sharps like insulin pens or syringes, most hospitals accept them-but only 32% of retail pharmacies do. Call ahead. For insulin pens, remove the needle first and dispose of it in a sharps container. Put the pen itself in a sealed plastic bag. For transdermal patches (like fentanyl or nicotine patches), fold them in half with the sticky side in, so no one touches the drug residue. This is required at 100% of collection sites.

Step 5: Check Your Local Rules

Rules vary by state and even by pharmacy. California demands original containers with all info covered. Washington allows sealed bags for non-liquid meds. Walgreens doesn’t care about the container as long as your name is gone. The VA has stricter rules than civilian sites.

Don’t guess. Use the DEA’s online Take-Back Locator (you can search by zip code) to find the nearest site. Click on the location and read their specific instructions. If there’s no info online, call them. Ask: “Do you require original containers? Can I use zip-lock bags? Do you accept patches or insulin pens?”

One Reddit user, u/MedSafety2023, got turned away at a Walgreens because their liquid antibiotic wasn’t in the original pharmacy bottle-even though they’d removed their name. The staff didn’t know the policy. That’s why calling ahead saves time and stress.

What About Expired Vitamins and Supplements?

Yes, you can bring them. Vitamins, herbal supplements, and OTC meds like Tylenol or allergy pills are all accepted. Even pet medications are welcome. The DEA allows all prescription and non-prescription drugs at 100% of authorized sites. Don’t throw them out with the trash. Don’t flush them. Bring them in.

Incinerator flames shaped like skeletons as pill butterflies rise, family dropping off meds at a decorated bin.

What Happens After You Drop Them Off?

Once you hand over your meds, they’re locked in a secure bin. They’re picked up by licensed waste handlers and taken to a high-temperature incinerator. Nothing is buried, recycled, or dumped. Everything is destroyed completely. In 2024, over 29,800 tons of pharmaceutical waste were incinerated by Stericycle alone. That’s the equivalent of 1,500 full-size school buses full of old pills.

This process prevents drugs from leaching into groundwater. The USGS found pharmaceuticals in 80% of U.S. streams. That’s not just “a little bit”-it’s widespread. And it’s not just fish. These chemicals can affect human health over time. Proper disposal isn’t just about safety-it’s about protecting the water you drink.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

  • Mistake: Only covering part of the label. Solution: Cover every word, number, and barcode. Use a thick marker.
  • Mistake: Putting liquids in a zip-lock bag without a sealed container. Solution: Keep liquids in their original bottle. If it’s broken, use a small plastic bottle with a tight cap.
  • Mistake: Assuming all sites are the same. Solution: Always check the site’s rules before you go.
  • Mistake: Waiting until the next take-back day. Solution: There are permanent collection sites in 71% of U.S. counties. You don’t have to wait.

One of the biggest barriers? Confusion. A 2023 Johns Hopkins study found 43% of people didn’t know how to prepare meds for disposal. That’s why 28% didn’t even try. Don’t be one of them. Just follow these five steps.

Final Checklist Before You Go

  • ☑ All personal info blacked out with permanent marker
  • ☑ Medications in original containers (or sealed bag if allowed)
  • ☑ No mixing of different drugs
  • ☑ No aerosols, inhalers, or sharps (unless you know the site accepts them)
  • ☑ Patches folded sticky-side in
  • ☑ You’ve called or checked the site’s website for special rules

It takes less than five minutes. And it’s one of the safest things you can do for your family, your community, and the environment.

Can I put all my old pills in one bag for take-back?

No. Most collection sites require each medication to be kept separate. Mixing pills makes it harder for staff to identify them, which delays disposal and increases the risk of errors. Put each type in its own container-original bottle or sealed zip-lock bag-and label them if needed.

What if I lost the original bottle for my medication?

You can still dispose of it. Place the pills in a small sealed container like a plastic bottle or a zip-lock bag. Make sure your name and prescription info are completely covered with a permanent marker. Some sites accept this, but not all-call ahead to confirm. If you’re unsure, bring the medication anyway; staff may still accept it if privacy is protected.

Can I dispose of pet medications the same way?

Yes. Pet medications-whether pills, liquids, or patches-are accepted at all DEA-authorized take-back sites. Remove personal information from the label, keep them in their original container if possible, and follow the same rules as human medications. Don’t flush them or throw them in the trash.

Are inhalers or asthma pumps allowed at take-back events?

No. Inhalers and aerosol cans are pressurized and can explode during transport or incineration. They’re not accepted at any take-back site. Check with your local pharmacy or hazardous waste facility for safe disposal options. Some pharmacies offer special bins for inhalers.

Do I need to wait for a take-back day, or can I drop off anytime?

You don’t need to wait. Since January 2024, the DEA’s "Every Day is Take Back Day" initiative means over 16,500 permanent collection sites accept medications year-round. Pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS, and many hospitals have drop-off bins inside. Just use the DEA’s online locator to find the nearest one.

Next Steps: Make It a Habit

Don’t wait until your cabinet is full. Set a reminder every six months to check your medicine cabinet. Toss expired, unused, or unneeded meds into a box. When it’s full, prep them the right way and drop them off. It’s a small step-but it keeps your home safer, your water cleaner, and your community healthier.