Medication and Needle Disposal

Keeping unneeded medicine and used needles in the house is not a good idea. They can harm children, pets, teens and adults if accidentally ingested or misused.  So, what should you do with these unwanted items?


Pills:  A permanent pill collection site is located at the Norwich Township Fire Department/City of Hilliard Police Department, Safety Services Building, 5181 Northwest Parkway, Hilliard, Ohio 43026. This collection site is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Follow the simple instructions posted on the box inside the main entry doors.

This location is the only Norwich Township Fire Station with this service available. Medications and needles WILL NOT be accepted by Fire Department personnel.

Additional Proper Disposal Methods:  The best way to get rid of old or unused prescription drugs is by taking them to a drug drop-off site. But if that’s not possible, there are other ways to dispose of them. Almost all medicines can be thrown in your household trash. Follow these steps:

• Remove the drugs from their original containers
• Mix them with something undesirable, such as dirt, cat litter or coffee grounds
• Put them in a sealed storage bag or other sealed container
• Remove or conceal personal information on the medicine container
• Toss the sealed medicine and the empty drug container in the garbage

A small number of potentially dangerous prescription drugs can be flushed in the toilet, although this should be done only if a take-back location is not available. Visit the FDA’s website for a list of these drugs. Disposing of non-flushable pharmaceuticals down the toilet or sink can harm our environment and especially our waterways.

 Needle/Syringe Disposal:

• Buy a sharps container at the pharmacy.
• Always place used needles in a safe container.
• Place needles in a hard plastic bottle (bleach, 2-Liter Pop) with screw top.
• Seal the cap tightly using tape.
• Label the bottle "Danger. Needles Inside."
• Place the bottle in a tied trash bag and put it in a trash can.

Other Helpful Links:

• U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s “Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines”
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s "FDA's Flush List "
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “How to Dispose of Medicines Properly”
• U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
• For a list of drop-off locations outside of Central Ohio, visit the DEA’s website or DontLiveinDenial.org.