Year Round Drop Boxes for FREE Disposal of Unused and Expired Medications

While on vacation I cleaned out the medicine cabinet for both the humans and the dogs, but then was left with the task of what to do with them.  I went to a website for household hazardous waste and found misinformation.  After research, I have the answer to proper disposal to keep you and the environment safe.

There are many reasons why unused and expired medications should be disposed of properly.  At home, they pose a risk for accidental poisoning, theft or even drug abuse.  If you were to put them in your trash, toilet, or dump then down the drain, it may fall into the wrong hands or pollute soil and water, causing harm to the wildlife and fish.

After a trip to WLSSD and finding that they DON'T take most medications at the household hazardous waste facility, I was told there are drop boxes, year-round at the Duluth, Hermantown and Proctor Police Departments.

Duluth Police Department/St. Louis County Sheriff Public Safety Building

• 2030 Arlington Avenue, Duluth                 8a-6p Monday-Friday

Hermantown Police Department

• 5111 Maple Grove Road, Hermantown             8a-4:30p Monday-Friday

Proctor Police Department

• 100 Pionk Drive, Proctor                                   8a-4:30p Monday-Friday

What is accepted:  Prescription, over-the-counter and pet medication in any form.

• Pills and capsules
• Blister packs
• Creams and gels
• Inhalers
• IV bags
• Liquids
• Patches
• Powders
• Sprays
• Vials

What is NOT accepted: The following should be brought to WLSSD's Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 2626 Courtland Street, Duluth.  WLSSD:  218.722.0761

• Needles
• Syringes
• Lancets
• Thermometers
• Medications from businesses

There is a little preparation involved if you plan to drop the medication at one of the police department's drop boxes:

• Keep medications in the original container
• Use a marker to cross out your name (drop off is anonymous, no ID required)
• If you don't have the original container, place the medication in a clear plastic bag and write the name of the medication on the bag