Medicine and Prescription Drugs Alternative ways to recycle Illegal in Garbage & Drains Household Hazardous Waste In Oceanside, you can drop off your medicine and prescription drugs (including narcotics) at the Oceanside Police Department Secure Kiosk at the Evidence and Property Facility at 4927 Oceanside Boulevard, Oceanside, CA 92056. More information can be found here. Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off is available twice a month by appointment only on Saturdays for household hazardous waste and/or universal waste. Acceptable items include over-the-counter and prescription medications, fluorescent light tubes, motor oil and used motor oil, antifreeze, paint, chemicals (pool and others), household cleaners, and pesticides. The majority of medications are accepted as household hazardous waste excluding controlled substances. Some items can be dropped off at the HHW Facility without an appointment and during hours of operation. These items include: sharps waste (syringes or lancets) properly packaged for safe disposal, (used) motor oil, filters and antifreeze. Proof of residency is required. To make an appointment to drop off your household hazardous waste on the next available Saturday at the Waste Management HHW Facility at 2880 Industry Street, please call Waste Management’s Customer Service line at (760) 439-2824. HHW must be dropped off by appointment – click for more info. Don’t Flush Down the Toilet Drugs dissolve when they are flushed down the toilet and can contaminate drinking water sources. Always Scratch Out Personal Information To protect your identity and privacy, scratch out any identifying information before disposing of empty or filled containers. Any empty bottles can be thrown in the trash. Alternative Ways to Recycle Give to a DEA-Authorized Collector Some pharmacies and law enforcement offices are registered with the DEA as authorized drug collectors. You can drop-off unused or unwanted drugs at these locations. Find a DEA-authorized disposal location. Walgreens Safe Medication Disposal Program Select Walgreens locations now have kiosks for safe medication disposal. Find a kiosk here. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Each April and October the DEA hosts a nationwide drug take back day. Find a drop off location and the date of the next take back day. Pill Bottle Donation Donate empty plastic pill bottles to Matthew 25: Ministries for inclusion in shipments of medical supplies and for shredding and recycling. Ways to Reuse Repurpose Empty Pill Bottles Put empty pill bottles to good use by repurposing them as travel containers and organizers for items such as cotton swabs, bobby pins, spare buttons, mini sewing kits, jewelry, coins, earbuds, and other knickknacks and supplies. Did You Know? Don't Rush to Flush Unwanted Medications - English Video Don't Rush to Flush Unwanted Medications - Spanish Video
