Mission Viejo: Here’s How To Properly Dispose Of Medications, Sharps During Coronavirus Crisis

Press release from the City of Mission Viejo:

April 29, 2020

If you’re wondering what to do with your unused, expired medications or medical “sharps” during the quarantine, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) developed a campaign for safely disposing medications at home.

The “Secure Your Meds” campaign calls for simply placing medications into a zip-lock bag; pouring in hot water, kitty litter, dirt or coffee grounds into the bag; and then sealing and mashing the mixture until pills are dissolved. After that, just toss the bag in your trash bin.

In addition, during the pandemic, the 24-hour pharmacy locations listed at this link are serving as medication drop-box sites. (Call in advance to check the specific location and time.)

For disposing sharps (syringes, catheters, etc.,), you can place used and unused sharps in a durable plastic bottle (like a bleach bottle), place the lid on it and take the bottle to the closest Household Hazardous Waste site listed at this link.

This press release was produced by the City of Mission Viejo. The views expressed here are the author’s own.