Safe Medication Disposal

COVID-19 Update

If you can't get to a dropbox to safely dispose of your medications during COVID-19, remember to keep your unused or expired medications in a lock box or locked cabinet. We are currently offering FREE lock boxes and medication disposal bags to Berks County residents.

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Did you know?

Flushing or pouring medications down the drain can pollute our waters, impact aquatic species, and contaminate our food and water supplies.

Proper medication disposal prevents accidental and intentional misuse and helps protect the environment. The Council on Chemical Abuse offers several opportunities for safe disposal of expired and unused medications. The Berks County Medication Drop Box disposal program provides drop boxes at over 20 locations throughout the county where residents can safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medication.

Boxes are located throughout Berks Co.Drop Box Locations

Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions, accessibility of drop boxes may be more limited. List updated Sept. 2020

See Locations

Can't get to a drop box?Medication Disposal Bags

Learn about medication disposal bags that safely dissolve medications, available to home-bound individuals in Berks County.

Click for details

Accepted items include:

Any expired or unused medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, including pet medications and drug samples.
Vitamins, ointments, powders and patch form medications.
Inhalers
Liquid medications encased in original plastic leak-proof containers.

Please note: medications should be in the original container with personal information blacked out. For further questions, please call our office at (610) 376-8669, or visit the District Attorney’s website HERE.

Items not accepted include:

Any loose pills not in standard container or bag
Syringes (Click here for information on safe disposal of sharps)
Thermometers
Bloody or infectious waste
Sunblock, lipstick, deodorant, skin cream and hydrogen peroxide
Cleaning agents and aerosol cans
Medications from businesses.