As we settle into the New Year, it’s the perfect time to clean out not only our closets but also our medicine cabinets. Decluttering your medications is a great way to start fresh, ensuring your home is safer and more organized. Here’s why and how you can safely dispose of old medications and sharps.  

Why Safe Disposal Matters 

Sharps and medications that are expired or no longer needed can pose serious risks:  

• Health Risks: Taking expired or unused medications can be dangerous, as they may not work effectively or could lead to harmful side effects.  
• Accidental Exposure: Children, pets, or even adults can accidentally puncture themselves with needles or consume medications, leading to poisoning or other health emergencies.  
• Environmental Concerns: Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can harm water supply and the environment.  

How to Safely Dispose of Medications  

Here are some simple and responsible ways to dispose of old medications:  

1. Contact Your Pharmacy or Medical Office: Many large pharmacies have installed safe medication disposal kiosks in their store. Here you can check if there is a location available in your area. Please note that NOAH Health Centers do not currently provide medication disposal kiosks.
2. Sharps Disposal: Proper disposal of needles and other sharps is essential for safety. Here you can enter your zip code to find the closest disposal site near you.
3. City of Phoenix Police Department Drop Boxes: The following locations have medication disposal drop boxes for pills, patches, ointments, vitamins, samples, pet medications, and prescription drugs. 

Please note that needles, sharps, aerosols, inhalers, medical waste, lotions, liquid medicines, and thermometers are not permitted for drop off at these locations.

4. Dispose at Home (If No Other Option):  

Medications

• Mix the medication with an unappealing substance like coffee grounds or kitty litter.  
• Place the mixture in a sealed plastic bag and throw it in your household trash.  
• Remove any personal information from prescription bottles before recycling them. 

Sharps

• Find a puncture resistant container like an empty detergent bottle, peanut butter jar, or jumbo pretzel container – something you can throw away.
• Place needles and syringes point-side down into the container leaving at least two inches of space from the top.
• Use duct tape to tightly seal the container and to clearly label with “non-recyclable medical waste”.
• Dispose of entire container in the TRASH – do not recycle.

Tips for Decluttering Your Medicine Cabinet  

• Check Expiration Dates: Go through all your medications and toss anything that’s expired.  
• Organize by Use: Arrange medications by type (e.g., daily use, first aid, occasional). 
• Store Safely: Keep medications in a cool, dry place, away from children and pets.  

By safely disposing of old medications and organizing what you need, you’ll reduce clutter and create a healthier environment for yourself and your family.  

If you have questions about safely disposing of medications or need help deciding what to keep or discard, visit NOAH’s Pharmacy at Cholla Health Center or call 480-903-3560. Our pharmacists are ready to provide expert guidance and resources to support your health.