Properly Dispose of Medications

As you clean and pack up this semester, remember to properly dispose of any unwanted or expired medications. This protects you, reduces the risk of others taking medications, and helps preserve local water and soil quality.

Prescription Drug Drop Boxes

Most medications, such as pills, ointments, medicated lotions, and patches, can be properly disposed of at the following locations:

• DEA Take Back Box at Student Stores Pharmacy. This includes controlled substances.
  • Liquids, aerosols, or sharps are not accepted.
• Orange County Health Department has drug drop boxes throughout Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Carrboro.
  • Liquids are accepted in a sealed plastic bag.
  • Sharps are not accepted.
• Select CVS and Walgreens stores in the Triangle.
• Operation Medicine Drop has a directory of drug take-back locations and events throughout NC.

Unlabeled and Unknown Medications

Unlabeled, unidentified, or non-controlled substances can be brought to Campus Health Pharmacy for disposal. Liquids or aerosols are not accepted.

Disposing of Needles and Other Sharps

Place needles and other sharps in a sturdy, plastic container – this ensures the safety of workers handling the sharps. FDA-cleared disposal containers can be found at local pharmacies. You can also use an empty plastic laundry detergent container.  

Once the container is 3/4 full, put the lid on, seal it with duct tape, and label “DO NOT RECYCLE”.

Sharps may be disposed of at:

• Orange County Health Department Medical Clinics
  • 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill
  • 300 W Tryon Street, Hillsborough
• Durham County Human Services Pharmacy
  • 414 East Main St., Durham, NC
    1st floor, Lobby 3

Disposing of Liquid Medications

Liquid medications may be properly disposed of at the following locations as long as they are placed in a sealed bag.

• Orange County Prescription Drug Drop Boxes
• Select CVS and Walgreens stores in the Triangle

Disposal Kits

DisposeRX is a neutralizing powder that makes it safer for you to dispose of some medications in your household trash. Packets are conveniently included in the free Narcan kits offered by Student Wellness (SASB North, 0103).

To use:

• Open the prescription bottle and add water
• Pour in the DisposeRx packet.
• Shake the bottle. The medication will turn into a gel – making it inactive and unusable.
• Throw the sealed bottle into your household trash.

Full instructions can be found on the DisposeRX packet and website.