A secure, convenient and
environmentally sound
option for the disposal of
unused and unwanted
household medications |
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What is the Colorado Medication Take-Back Pilot
Project?
The Colorado Medication Take-Back Project is a
network of secure boxes for the collection of unused and unwanted
household medications. The collection boxes can be found at
eleven convenient locations - nine on the Front Range and two in
Summit County. The locations are: |
King Soopers
- 3400 Youngfield St., Wheat Ridge
- 1650 30th St, Boulder
- 4271 S. Buckley Rd, Aurora
- 9551 S. University Blvd, Highlands Ranch
- 2810 Quebec St, Denver
- 100 Founders Parkway, Castle Rock
- 1173 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen
Tri-County Health Department
- 4857 S. Broadway, Englewood
- 4201 E. 72nd Ave. Suite D, Commerce City
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Denver Health
- Wellington E. Webb Center for Primary Care,
301 W. 6th Ave, Denver
City Market
- 300 Dillon Ridge Rd, Dillon
- 400 North Parkway, Breckenridge
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Why Should I Use the Project?
When over-the-counter or prescription medications
are no longer needed, they should be removed from the home.
Unused medications can fall into the hands of small children and
cause accidental poisoning. More than one million children
under the age of five are treated each year in the United States for
poisoning caused by household chemicals and medications. Older
children and teens may be tempted to experiment with easily
available medications, causing harm to themselves or their friends.
Nationally, one in five teens has reported abusing prescription
drugs that were not prescribed to them.
Medication disposal should be done in a manner
that minimizes the chance of misuse and also protects the
environment. Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing
them in the trash can cause pollution of lakes, streams and water
supplies. The project contractor, Curbside Inc., will dispose of collected medications by
hazardous waste incineration, offering the highest degree of
environmental protection. |
How Do I Use the Project?
Simply gather up your unused, unwanted and expired
medications, take them to one of the project locations and drop them
into the box. Review the posted lists of medications and
materials that are, or are not, accepted. Please take the time
to fill-out and mail-in one of the available survey cards.
Responses will help gauge project success. |
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What Can I Dispose of in the Collection Boxes?
It is important to follow the instructions posted
at each collection box. Due to strict Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) regulations governing the disposal of narcotics
and other controlled substances, they cannot be deposited in
project boxes. Consult the posted list of prohibited
controlled substances. If you are still unsure, ask your
pharmacist if any of your prescribed medications are considered
controlled substances. |
Allowed
- Prescription Medications (except for
narcotics or controlled substances)
- Over-the-counter Medications
- Medication Samples
- Pet Medications
- Vitamins
- Liquid Medication in Glass or Leak-proof
Containers
- Medicated Ointments and Lotions
- Inhalers
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Not Allowed
- Narcotics and Other Controlled Substances
- Bloody or infectious waste
- Personal Care Products
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Aerosol Cans
- Thermometers
- IV Bags
- Needles or Other Sharps
- Plastic Shopping Bags
- Empty Containers
- Business Waste
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How Can I Dispose of Narcotics and Other Controlled Substances?
Call or visit the website of your city or county
government to see if they are planning a local program or event for
the collection of narcotics or other controlled substances.
Communities often partner with local law enforcement agencies to
collect, catalogue and incinerate narcotics and controlled
substances in compliance with federal regulations.
If a local program or event is not available for
the collection of narcotics and other controlled substances - do
not flush! Instead, dispose of the medications in the
trash as follows:
- Take unused, unneeded or expired medicines
out of their original containers. Mix them with an
undesirable substance like kitty litter or used coffee grounds.
- Remove or destroy all identifying personal
information, including prescription number, on the empty
medicine container labels. You can destroy personal
information by covering with black permanent marker or by
scratching it off.
- Wrap the medication mixture and the empty
containers in newspaper to help conceal them and place them in
the trash.
- Be sure to keep children or pets away from
the trash before it is picked up and hauled away.
For more information on the proper disposal of
household medications, visit
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hm/hhw/howto/medications.htm and
www.smarxtdisposal.net. |
How Long Will the Project be Available?
The project is intended to last through the year
2012. However, the project could run for a longer, or shorter, period
of time depending upon availability of operating funds.
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Who Should I Contact for More Information?
Please call 303-692-2903 or email
cdphe.hmmedtakeback@state.co.us if you have questions or would
like more information.
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Who is Sponsoring the Project?
The Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment is managing the project with funding and other support
from:
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