East Shore District Health Department

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East Shore District Health Department

Serving Branford, East Haven, and North Branford
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In-Home Medication Disposal

Mix medicines (do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unpalatable substance such dirt, cat litter or used coffee grounds.

Put the mixture in something you can close, like a sealed plastic bag.

Throw the container away in your household trash.

Disposal tips

Remove personal information from medication bottles. You can use a permanent marker, duct tape, or remove label to protect private information.

Properly package medication for disposal:

  • For pills or capsules, add a small amount of hot water to the container to dissolve them and add an undesirable substance such as liquid detergent or used coffee grounds.
  • For liquid medications, add an undesirable substance such as table salt, flour, coffee grounds, powdered spice, or cat litter to make a pungent unsightly mixture that discourages anyone from eating it.
  • For blister packs, wrap the packs containing pills with multiple layers of duct tape.
  • For inhaled medications, wrap inhaler in duct or opaque tape and place in plastic bag.
  • For ampules or vials, wrap them in duct or opaque tape to minimize breakage and place in a plastic container.
  • Tape medicine container lid shut with packing or duct tape
  • Place inside a non-transparent bag or container such as an empty margarine tub to ensure the contents cannot be seen and tape it shut
  • DO NOT hide in food products because animals may accidentally consume them.
  • DO NOT put the container in the recycling bin!

NOTE: Certain chemotherapy drugs may require special handling – check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before disposing of those drugs.

Watch THIS VIDEO to learn more about proper disposal of medications within your own home.

Medication Deactivation Pouches
ESDHD also has a limited amount of Medication Deactivation Pouches that allow residents to safely dispose of left-over medication in the privacy of their own home. The pouches are bio-degradable, safe, and easy to use. Simply place any left-over medications into the pouch, add some water, zip the pouch closed and toss into your trash can. Click here for a short overview on how the Deterra Deactivation Pouches work.

Local Drug Drop Box Locations:
In Connecticut, there are designated Drop Box Disposal Areas for safe disposal of medications. Below is a list of municipal police departments in our area that participate in the Medication Drop Box Program. These drop boxes are managed by police departments and are available 24/7. This is a confidential free service regardless of what town you live in – NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

  • Branford Police Department, 33 Laurel St, Branford, CT
  • Guilford Police Department, 400 Church Street, Guilford, CT
  • Madison Police Department, 9 Campus Drive, Madison, CT
  • New Haven Police Department, 1 Union Avenue, New Haven, CT
  • North Haven Police Department, 18 Church Street, North Haven CT

Note: Drop Boxes do NOT accept: Thermometers, hypodermic needled and sharps, bloody or infectious waste, hydrogen peroxide, non-prescription ointments and lotions, aerosol cans, inhalers or medications from clinics or businesses.