Safe Medication Disposal Program

Safe Disposal Alternatives

One of the most common questions Walgreens pharmacists receive is how to safely dispose of unused or expired medication. As many parents and guardians are concerned about children and teens accessing these items, the Safe Medication Disposal Program offers the public a safe and environmentally responsible disposal alternative.

Walgreens launched the first ongoing, nation-wide Safe Medication Disposal Program in September 2010. Customers can purchase specially designed envelopes that allow them to mail unused prescription or over-the-counter medications they no longer use for safe disposal. Once securely sealed, envelopes can be dropped into any U.S. Postal Service mailbox to be sent to an approved medication incinerator. An on-site, licensed law enforcement official is part of a quality control system to ensure no envelope is tampered with.

So far, Walgreens customers have helped keep more than 25,000 pounds of unused or expired medications out of landfills.

"We are encouraged that many of our patients have taken advantage of this medication disposal opportunity," said Walgreens president of pharmacy, health and wellness Kermit Crawford. "We've heard great feedback about this new program from those customers. In addition to the environmental benefits, it addresses a common safety concern in communities."

Recycling for a Cause

Walgreens gives customers another reason to recycle. When customers drop off old printer cartridges or cell phones at any Walgreens photo counter, they help the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association. As part of the recycling program, the company will donate a total of $500,000 to the organizations. Nearly 41,000 inkjet cartridges and hundreds of cell phones have already been recycled.