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Medication
Accepted at 7 locations
Unused, unwanted, or expired medicines and pharmaceuticals, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and veterinary medicines.
Source: dec.alaska.gov : Prescription and Veterinary Medicine Disposal | AK Dept. of Environmental Conservation (1)
Medication Summary
Also known as: Prescriptions, Medicines, drugs, pills, supplements, vitamins, patches, suppositories, iv, hypodermic, sharps, needle
Parent material: Medication
Additional categories: Medication
Accepted Locations
Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM
Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM
Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM
Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM
Bring medications in original bottles or in a clear, sealed bag
Remove labels or black out personal health information with permanent marker
Keep liquid medications in original bottle or sealed plastic container
Do not throw medication in the trash
Do not crush pills when preparing for disposal
Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM
Bring medications in original bottles or in a clear, sealed bag
Remove labels or black out personal health information with permanent marker
Keep liquid medications in original bottle or sealed plastic container
Do not throw medication in the trash
Do not crush pills when preparing for disposal
Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM
Bring medications in original bottles or in a clear, sealed bag
Remove labels or black out personal health information with permanent marker
Keep liquid medications in original bottle or sealed plastic container
Do not throw medication in the trash
Do not crush pills when preparing for disposal
Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM
About Medication
What it is
Medications may become unwanted for many reasons: they expired, weren't tolerated, didn't work, or the patient didn't need them anymore. Pharmaceutical take-back programs help combat the opioid crisis by reducing access to unwanted household medicines, preventing drug abuse and accidental poisoning, while also protecting the environment by reducing flushing which prevents their release into ground water and surface water.(3, 4, 7, 8)
How it’s recycled
How to prepare it
Scratch out all your personal information on the empty medicine packaging to protect your identity and privacy. Drop off medication in its original container at designated collection centers. Place liquid medication bottles into a sealed plastic bag to prevent leaking and contamination / mixing with other medications.(4, 6, 8)
Common mistakes
Environmental impact
Certain pharmaceuticals have been proven to cause undesired adverse effects on ecosystems, including mortality and changes to physiology, behaviour or reproduction. Aquatic ecosystems and organisms are particularly vulnerable, as continuous input of active pharmaceutical ingredients into rivers and streams through wastewater treatment systems adversely affects aquatic ecosystems due to the intrinsic bioactivity of these compounds. Water treatment plants are generally not equipped to routinely remove medicines.(3, 5, 10)
Did you know?
Since the inception of the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day program, over 21 million pounds (10,517 tons) of unwanted medications have been collected cumulatively through 2026.(9)
Sources & additional reading
- Prescription and Veterinary Medicine Disposal | AK Dept. of Environmental Conservation dec.alaska.gov
- Basics About Household Medication Disposal | US EPA epa.gov
- Household Medication Disposal | US EPA epa.gov
- What To Do with Unwanted Household Medicines | US EPA epa.gov
- The Impact of Pharmaceuticals Released to the Environment | US EPA epa.gov
- 2ND CHOICE: HOUSEHOLD DISPOSAL STEPS* epa.gov
- Drug Disposal: Drug Take-Back Options | FDA fda.gov
- Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know | FDA fda.gov
- Take Back Day dea.gov
- Proper Disposal Of Unused Medications | Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility awwu.biz
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