This Earth Day, turn in unneeded medication for safe disposal

This Saturday, help celebrate Earth Day by disposing of unused prescription drugs at a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collection event. Proper disposal of unneeded medication helps protect the environment by keeping prescription drugs out of waterways. It also helps to prevent future medication misuse, opioid addiction, and accidental poisoning.

Drop-off sites are safe, anonymous, and will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22.

Collection sites are located around the country and will be collecting:

• Tablets
• Capsules
• Patches
• Other solid forms of prescription drugs

Participating law enforcement agencies in Michigan will only accept pills and empty vape cartridges if the batteries have been removed from devices.

Participating law enforcement agencies will not accept any of the following:

• Medications from physicians, veterinarians, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or pharmacies and vapes from retailers will not be accepted.
• Liquid medications.
• Vitamin/supplements or personal care products, like hand sanitizers, shampoos, soaps, lotions, sunscreens, etc.
• Needles/sharps or bio-hazardous materials containing blood and/or body fluids.
• Recreational or prescribed marijuana or marijuana products.
• Illegal drugs, like methamphetamines.

Since its inception in 2010, DEA’s National Prescription Take Back Day has removed almost 17 million pounds of unneeded medications from communities across the country.

It is also possible to take action throughout the year by identifying collection options across the state using Michigan's Drug Take Back Map. Simply enter a ZIP code to find collection locations.

For more information regarding drug treatment and prevention, go to Michigan.gov/Opioids.