Properly disposing of medicines is important to prevent abuse, poisoning, and to protect the environment. Follow the steps below to reduce these wastes and for proper and safe disposal.

Medicine & Prescription Drugs

There are increasingly more options for disposing of medicines in the Twin Cities. Many counties and local law enforcement agencies, including the Carver County Sheriff’s Office, have installed drop boxes or are organizing collection events to give residents the opportunity to properly and safely dispose of unwanted, unused and expired medicines.

Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem, especially among teens, and accidental poisonings from medicines are on the rise. Medicines flushed down the drain or disposed of in the trash can pollute bodies of water, harm wildlife and end up in drinking water supplies.

Reduction Tips

Reduce medicine and prescription drug waste whenever possible.

► Use all antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. Not using all doses of an antibiotic could lead to development of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria.

► For new medications, ask the doctor to prescribe only enough to see if the medication will work for you and in the lowest dose advisable. That way if the medication doesn’t suit you, there is less to waste.

► Buy only as much as you can reasonably use before the expiration date. Think twice before buying the bottle of 500 aspirin just because it’s cheaper, unless you will use them all.

Disposal

Find a medication disposal site near you.

Medicine take back program “Take It To The Box”

The Take It To The Box program promotes the safe use, safe storage and safe disposal of unneeded prescription and over-the-counter medications. This includes both human and animal medications along with illegal drugs.

The Carver County community is serious about preventing medication misuse/abuse and about environmentally safe disposal of unneeded medications.

Carver County Locations

Chanhassen Drop Box
Chanhassen City Hall
7700 Market Blvd
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Hours: Mon – Fri, 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Waconia Drop Box
Waconia City Hall
201 Vine Street S
Waconia, MN 55387
Hours: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day