Medicine drop boxes operated by independent pharmacies

It is important to check the websites of independent pharmacies before visiting their medicine drop boxes. What medicines are accepted, hours, and box appearance can vary.

Accepted at drop boxes operated by independent pharmacies

Pharmacies may not accept all forms of medication in drop boxes. Learn what medicines are accepted by visiting the sites below.

• Allina Health
• CVS
• Health Partners
• North Memorial Health
• University of Minnesota
• Walgreens

Medicine drop boxes operated in partnership with Hennepin County

Guidelines

• Use of the program is free
• No ID is required
• Bring medicines in their original containers
• If the medicine is no longer in the original container, place the medicine in quart-sized plastic bags. To avoid clogging the drop box, please do not bring medicines in gallon-size plastic bags or plastic shopping bags
• The box is self-serve. Pull the handle to open it and then drop the medicines into the box. Drop the whole container — packaging and pills — into the box.

Accepted at drop boxes operated in partnership with Hennepin County

Medicines from households are accepted, including:

• Prescription medicines, including Schedule II-V controlled substances (such as Vicodin, Oxycodone, Percocet and Ritalin)
• Over-the-counter medicines
• Pet medicines

Medicines are accepted in the following forms:

• Aerosols
• Blister packs
• Capsules
• Creams
• Gels
• Inhalers
• Liquids
• Patches
• Pills
• Powders

Not accepted at medicine drop boxes

No illegal drugs

• Schedule I

No needles, sharps or syringes

• See the Green Disposal Guide: Needles and Sharps for safe disposal options.

No vape pens or e-cig devices

• They can cause fires. Take to a county drop-off facility in Brooklyn Park or Bloomington.

No thermometers

• Take to a drop-off facility.

No bandages, glucose meters, medical tape or other medical supplies

No empty pill bottles

• You can recycle your empty pill bottles at home.

No medicines from businesses

• These include health care facilities, pharmacies, pharmaceutical representatives, doctors’ offices and veterinary clinics.

• See information about managing business hazardous waste.

No cosmetics and personal care products

Properly disposing of unused medicines is important

Prevent abuse or poisoning

Storing unused medicines in the home poses safety and health threats.

• Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem, especially among teens.
• Accidental poisonings from medicines are also on the rise. Learn more on the MN Poison Control System's website.
• If you believe that you or someone you know has been poisoned: call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 for further instructions.

Protect the environment

Medicines flushed down the drain or disposed of in the trash can contaminate bodies of water, harm wildlife and end up in drinking water supplies.

Prescription drugs that are most often abused

If unused or unwanted, these are important drugs to remove from your home.

• Painkillers: Vicodin, Tylenol with codeine, OxyContin, Percocet
• Depressants: Xanax, Valium, Nembutal
• Stimulants: Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta

What happens to medicines after they are dropped off?

After medicines have been collected they are transported to an incinerator, where they will be destroyed. Incineration is the preferred method of medicine destruction for environmental safety and abuse prevention.

Hennepin County does not provide service to pick up medicines directly from your home. If someone contacts you offering this service, please call your local law enforcement agency.

Approximately 2 million Americans misused prescription pain relievers for the first time during 2016, according to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Learn how to store medications safely in your home.

Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a program of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) held twice a year to collect unwanted and unneeded medications. Collecting these medications prevents them from falling into the wrong hands and helps to decrease drug-related violence. 

Locations

• Walgreens Golden Valley, 5695 Duluth St., Golden Valley, MN
• Walgreens Rogers, 21495 141st Ave. N., Rogers, MN
• Walgreens South Minneapolis, 4547 Hiawatha Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN
• Cub Foods Shorewood, 23800 MN-7 Hwy., Shorewood, MN

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office hosts Take Back Day events around Hennepin County at rotating locations.