Disposal of Pharmaceuticals

Proper Disposal of expired and unwanted prescriptions and over-the-counter medications & Pharmaceuticals

Watch the Pharmaceuticals Video

Improperly disposed pharmaceuticals and medications have been entering our water supplies from a variety of sources, including the flushing of unused medications into sewer systems. Nationwide studies have found low levels of medications such as antibiotics, hormones, contraceptives and steroids in 80% of the rivers and streams tested. Pharmaceuticals that are improperly disposed include chemicals such as over the counter medicines, cosmetics and other personal care products, as well as antibiotics and growth hormones used with livestock.

Do not dispose of your unwanted drugs by flushing them down the drain or toilet.

Pharmaceuticals may be delivered to the following locations for disposal:

  • Boonville Police Department
  • Camden Police Department
  • Dolgeville Police Department
  • Frankfort Town Hall
  • Herkimer County Sheriff's Office
  • Herkimer Police Department
  • Ilion Police Department
  • Kirkland Police Department
  • Mohawk Police Department
  • Oneida County Sheriff's Department
  • Oriskany Police Department
  • Rome Police Department
  • Sherrill Police Department
  • Town of Webb Police Department
  • Trenton Municipal Building
  • Utica Police Department
  • Waterville Municipal Building

Pharmaceuticals are also accepted at the following healthcare facilities:

  • Little Falls Hospital
  • Rome Memorial Hospital

Pharmacies accepting unwanted drugs:

  • Kinney Drugs - 261 Utica Boulevard, Boonville
  • Kinney Drugs - 2 Preston Street, Camden
  • CVS - 39 Meadow Street, Clinton
  • Kinney Drugs - 12 Franklin Ave, Clinton
  • Kinney Drugs - 55 North Main Street, Dolgeville
  • Kinney Drugs - 40 First Street, Ilion
  • The Medicine Shoppe - 10 Central Ave, Ilion
  • Kinney Drugs - 530 Albany Street, Little Falls
  • HealthDirect Pharmacy - 9225 River Road, Marcy
  • Rite Aid - 4854 Commercial Drive, New Hartford
  • Rite Aid - 46 Kellogg Road, New Hartford
  • Hannaford - 4593 Commercial Drive, New Hartford
  • The Medicine Shoppe - 18 Kellogg Road, New Hartford
  • Walgreens - 49 Kellogg Road, New Hartford
  • Kinney Drugs - 2964 State Route 28, Old Forge
  • Hannaford - 808 West Chestnut Street, Rome
  • Rite Aid - 405 Erie Boulevard West, Rome
  • Walgreens - 201 South James Street, Rome
  • Grand Union - 87 East State Street, Sherrill
  • Garros Drugs - 430 Bleecker Street, Utica
  • Hannaford - 1122 Mohawk Street, Utica
  • Rite Aid - 1924 Genesee Street, Utica
  • U & I Pharmacy - 5236 West Seneca Street, Vernon
  • Kinney Drugs - 40 Oriskany Boulevard, Whitesboro
  • Rite Aid - 141 Oriskany Boulevard, Whitesboro

Do not bring illegal drugs, controlled prescription drugs such as Oxycontin, Percocet and Hydrocodone, biohazards, needles or sharps, personal care products or household hazardous waste.

If you are unable to dispose of unwanted or expired drugs at a drop-off location, you should dispose of the drugs by placing them in your household trash by doing the following:

  • To avoid accidental or intentional misuse of drugs, treat medication (liquids and pills) by adding water, salt, ashes, dirt, cat litter, coffee grounds, or another undesirable substance.
  • Place unwanted pharmaceuticals in a sealed bag or box and seal the container with strong tape.
  • Dispose of drugs in your trash as close to your trash collection day as possible.
  • Do not conceal discarded drugs in food to prevent consumption by pets or wildlife.
  • Place household sharps like needles and lancets in a puncture proof container such as a coffee can or laundry detergent bottle. The container should be sealed with tape and labeled as "sharps" and placed in the trash for disposal and not recycling,
  • Medications with needles attached may also be disposed of at household sharps community collection programs at hospitals and nursing homes in Oneida and Herkimer Counties.

Deterra Medical Disposal Bags can be requested by Oneida County residents from the Oneida County Opioid Task Force. Click here for more information.

For more information, contact the Authority office at (315) 733-1224.

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