Safe Medication and Sharps Disposal
The Safe Medication Disposal Event is held by the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, during which unused and expired medications are collected for environmentally safe disposal. Students have collected almost two tons of medication, keeping potentially harmful substances out of our water, landfills, and the wrong hands. We now accept sharps and sharps containers. The event will be held at two locations simultaneously.
Date: October 1, 2024 | 8:00a.m. - 2:00p.m.
Location #1: Ingalls Mall E Washington St. - across from Rackham Auditorium
Location #2: University of Michigan Health System: Triangle area between University Hospital, Mott Children's Hospital, and Taubman Health Care Center
- Accepted Items
- Prescription & OTC Medications
- Medication samples
- Vitamins
- Ointments & lotions
- Inhalers
- Antibiotics, steroids, veterinary medicine
- Controlled medications
- Sharps and sharps containers
- Unaccepted Items
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Cosmetics
- Hair care products
- Personal hygiene products
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Rubbing alcohol
- Aerosol cans
- Blood or infectious waste
- Tobacco
- Cancer Medication Donation
Unused and unopened cancer medications can be donated and provided to someone in need year-round, thanks to the YesRx network. Learn more here.
- Can't make it? Consider these options.
Many of our local community pharmacies offer disposal kiosks, where individual can bring unwanted, unused, or expired medications for drop off. Talk to your community pharmacist about what is accepted at their location.
Sometimes getting to the pharmacy can be a challenge. There are in-home medication disposal options available such as DisposeRx and Deterra. These options both safely deactivate drugs, allowing individuals to safely throw away medications without future environmental contamination.
Other Events:
- Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) holds a medication disposal event each year in conjunction with the MPA and Michigan Pharmacy Political Action Council (PAC) Pharmacy Day at the Capitol event. The public is invited to safely dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications, including controlled substances.
- National DEA Drug Take Back Day, Typically the last Saturday in October and April
- Frequently Asked Questions
Do we recycle the bottles? Yes, students do remove personal information and recycle the bottles.
Do the pills need to be in a bottle? No, they do not.
Is there a cost? No, there is not. We are happy to offer this service to our community free of charge!
Do sharps need to be in a container? Sharps do not need to be in a special sharps container, but we ask that you transport them in an empty heavy duty plastic container, such as a laundry detergent or bleach container, or inform students when handing over loose sharps. Please DO NOT use water bottles, metal cans, glass jars, milk jugs, juice or soda/pop containers.
