Have unused medication around the house? We can tell you how to dispose of it safely
If you no longer need a medicine in your house, it is best to dispose of it safely as soon as you are done with it. And if there are children in the house, this is even more important for you. Here are the collection sites we know of where you can drop off everything you no longer need around the house, safely and securely.
Editor’s Note: We have utilized the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration website to source some of this information. As of the writing of this article, all locations mentioned below were cited to be drop-off locations, per this website or anecdotal suggestions from Chambanamoms readers.
OSF HealthCare has installed secure disposal boxes at its locations in Urbana and Danville. Prescription and over-the-counter medications are accepted. The boxes are available in the main lobby and operate from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Urbana and 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Danville. NOT accepted: needles, liquids including lotions and ointments, inhalers, aerosol cans, IV bags/tubes and thermometers.
CVS has several locations where you can dispose of old medications. As of last check, there were three CVS locations in Champaign and Urbana that were accepting old medicine: Green Street in Champaign, Dunlap Avenue in Savoy and South Philo Road in Urbana.
Walgreens has a couple of locations as well. South Neil Street in Champaign and Windsor Avenue in Champaign seem to be accepting what you no longer need in the home.
Both of our local Meijer stores will take your old medications.
Carle Foundation Hospital pharmacy (the one located at the hospital) is set up to accept unused medication. It is located inside of the patient/visitor entrance of Carle Foundation Hospital.
Mahomet Police Department recently rolled out a drug take-back program for leftover household medications. There is a secure drop off location in the lobby at 303 E. Oak St. in Mahomet.
Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day usually takes place in the spring, and several Central Illinois area locations will accept your unused medication.
For year-round drug disposal locations, area residents have more options. You can find year-round medication drop-off sites in Champaign, Urbana, Paxton, Danville, and Decatur. There are also drop-off sites in Charleston-Mattoon and Bloomington-Normal. For year-round drug disposal locations click here.
The Food and Drug Administration offers guidelines on how to dispose of unwanted medicines at your home.
From batteries to plastic bags, to yard waste and more, we have all the recycling options in Champaign-Urbana; see our Recycling Guide.