Medication and Sharps Disposal

Medication Disposal

Prescription Medication Disposal

The Sugar Grove Fire Protection District does not accept or dispose of prescription medications; however, the following locations will safely dispose of these items:

Sugar Grove Police Department – 10 Municipal Dr # A, Sugar Grove, IL 60554 630-466-4526

The public may safely dispose of unused/expired prescription medication at the drop box which is accessible to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. No needles, syringes or liquids are accepted.

Fox Metro Water Reclamation District

682 Route 31, Oswego, IL 60543 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday

*Except on Holidays

As increasing amounts of prescription drugs and personal care products (PPCPs) are being detected in U.S. rivers, waterways, and groundwater, Fox Metro Water Reclamation District offers The Medication Take-Back Program, which allows residents of the District service area to bring their old, unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications in to be properly disposed.

Acceptable Items

Non-Controlled DEA Drugs

Medication Samples

Prescription Medications

Over-the-Counter Medications

Medicated Ointments/Lotions

Vitamins

Medications for Pets

Non-Acceptable Items

Thermometers

Narcotics/DEA Controlled Drugs

IV Bags

Sharps/Needles (*see below for disposal)

Bloody or Infectious Waste

Empty Containers

Medication Collection Instructions:

To help keep the costs of the program down:

-Please consolidate pills in a small bag or a single container.

-Remove the outer box from items that come in a blister pack.

-Leave items in their original containers if they are ointments or liquids.

-Remove or black out any personal information on the label to protect your privacy.

Sharps Disposal Information

Residential sharps (ie. needles, syringes, lancets) generated from households in Illinois should be disposed of properly. Improper disposal of home-generated medical waste poses a potential health hazard to anyone who handles them including family members, neighbors and sanitation workers. Kane County Recycles offers more information on the proper disposal of sharps.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency provides guidelines on the hierarchy of disposal methods. The first choice should be to drop them off at a designated collection site. If that isn’t available or feasible, the second choice should be to use a mail-in program. If that isn’t available or feasible, the third and final choice should be to dispose (carefully prepared) sharps in household trash.

NEVER PLACE LOOSE NEEDLES AND SYRINGES IN THE TRASH!

LRS does not take red sharps containers.

Laundry Container for Sharps

 

LRS does accept sharps in the regular refuse tote if properly sealed as described below.

Place sharps (needles) in a thick, durable plastic container with a closing lid (laundry detergent, milk jug, etc.). Do not use a glass container.

The container must be clearly marked – SHARPS.

The lid must be closed and sealed with duck-tape.

The container can then be placed in the regular trash.

Please note, LRS does recommend using a sharps by mail program for disposal.

Visit Kane County Recycles for more information  of proper sharps disposal.  Kane County Recycles

Regardless of how sharps are to be disposed of, always​​ follow the following safe packaging guidelines:​

  1. Use a puncture-proof sharps container which can be purchased at a pharmacy. Mail in programs will provide a suitable container. Alternatively, hard plastic household containers, which should be unbreakable and puncture resistant, may be reused to contain sharps. We recommend a laundry detergent bottle. Milk jugs and coffee cans are not suitable.
  2. Sharps should be placed in the sharps container immediately after use.
  3. Put sharps in point-first.
  4. Store sharps in closed container with the cap or lid in place when not in use and until disposal.
  5. Containers more than half-full should be disposed of. Do not cram them full.
  6. Clearly​ label container “SHARPS, DO NOT RECYCLE” with a permanent marker.
  7. When the container is half full, tape lid on securely with duct tape.