What to do with Prescription Drugs???

My wife's Aunt passed away recently and, in cleaning out her house, we have come across a lot of old prescription drugs.  I know we missed the recent drug drop-off at the MWPD, does anyone have a short term solution for how we should dispose of them?  Some of the stuff is pretty heavy duty and I really don't want it sitting around the house until the next drop off day.


I believe Millburn PD has a permanent drop box that should be available during business hours.  Or, per the FDA:

  • Mix medicines (do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unpalatable substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds;
  • Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag;
  • Throw the container in your household trash; and
  • Delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty pill bottles or medicine packaging, then dispose of the container.



Millburn Police station has a drop

box in the lobby.


The Millburn PD (435 Essex Street) is open 24/7 and the dropbox is right inside the front door.


If it is more convenient, the Springfield PD also has an RX dropbox that is always available. The Police Station is around the corner from their Town Hall.



Maplewood is considering having a permanent drop box at the police station.  In the meanwhile, Millburn PD is the closest permanent drop box.


I wonder what is actually done with the stuff.  How is it processed?  


FilmCarp said:
I wonder what is actually done with the stuff.  How is it processed?  

 https://www.waste360.com/medical-waste/covanta-environmental-take-phase-two-ny-s-pharmaceutical-take-back-program

Full disclosure - I work for Covanta.


FilmCarp said:
I wonder what is actually done with the stuff.  How is it processed?  

 I heard it was incinerated.  Not sure if that is accurate.


Thanks to everyone for all the info.  Super useful!


joan_crystal said:
 I heard it was incinerated.  Not sure if that is accurate.

 That is correct, at least in a majority of the cases throughout the country.


Since Essex County burns its garbage, you can just put it into the garbage - some people recommend burying pills in coffee grinds - and they will be burned.  Robert Rowe gave this advise several years ago, and I believe it is still accurate.


from Robert Roe:   1. Yes, you can take them to a Police Dept. with a permanent drop off such as Millburn. (Maplewood to start soon).   2. Or,  Mix them with coffee grounds or other material and put them into the garbage.  Our house garbage is burned at the Covanta waste-to-energy plant in the Ironbound section of Newark.  This is the same place that Drug Drop off Days take the prescriptions.  Since most drugs are carbon based they can burn with no danger to the environment.   3.  DO NOT throw them down the drain or toilet.  

Sorry about your aunt.  


Garbage is burned in the Ironbound?  A lot of people live there, so find it strange.


from Bob Roe:  To be a little more accurate on the site:  It is near the Turnpike far out in the industrial neck section.   You can check it's location on a map.


The location is easily visible from the Turnpike just to the west of the turnpike.  Very large Blue Building, had a very large American flag on it - can't miss it.


krugle said:
Garbage is burned in the Ironbound?  A lot of people live there, so find it strange.

 It's not without its perils. This is an article from ten years ago, but I remember when it was being considered. Residents were not happy.

https://www.nj.com/news/2009/12/newark_residents_protest_garba.html


I believe the Walgreens on Halsted St in East Orange has an Rx drop off near the pharmacy counter.  They may be in closer pharmacies, too, but I'm pretty sure I saw one there.



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