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Medication Disposal
To find a drop off site near you, request disposal by mail and educational information, visit https://medtakebackillinois.org
Flushing medicines or pouring them down the sink can create the potential for harmful chemicals to end up in our waterways and drinking water. In fact, traces of some medicines have been found in water samples in 30 states, which have been connected to harmful impacts on localized aquatic ecosystems. More information on the public health impacts of misusing pharmaceuticals is available from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Through the passage of the Drug Take-Back Act (learn more below), every Illinoisian has free access to prescription drug disposal. This Act developed an implementation plan for a statewide network of drop-off sites funded and managed by the pharmaceutical manufacturers. These drop-off sites are located conveniently around the state, but mail-back envelopes are also available upon request free of charge. To request a pre-paid mailer or find a takeback location near you, please visit https://medtakebackillinois.org.
Any questions regarding the implementation and operation of the Drug Take-Back Plans should be directed to the Program Operators:
MED-Project: For more information, direct inquiries via email to Illinois@med-project.org and/or the Help Desk at 1-833-633-7765
Inmar: General Inquiries about the Consumer Drug Take-Back Program Email take-back@inmar.com phone 1-800-350-0397 Ext. 5
Safe Use and Disposal of Medicine
- Medicines should always be used as directed and securely stored
- Unused or unwanted medicines should NOT be flushed down the toilet or poured into the sink
- Never burn pharmaceuticals or personal care products in a burn barrel. Uncontrolled burning can create dioxins and other air pollutants
- Proper disposal can help to prevent accidental poisoning, substance abuse, and contamination of water resources
- Bring your expired and unused medications to an approved location that is convenient for you and can be found at the location finder links below for MED-Project and Inmar.
U.S. EPA has additional resources for both household medication disposal and take-back program operators located on their website.
Drug Take-Back Act
On June 10, 2022, Governor Pritzker signed the Drug Take-Back Act into law. Beginning December 1, 2023, every Illinois county is entitled to at least one medication collection location per 50,000 residents that is financed by pharmaceutical manufacturers. These collection locations accept both controlled and non-controlled substances free of charge.
The Drug Take-Back Act established a series of deadlines for pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacies, and potential collection locations between January 1 and December 1, 2023. Every manufacturer of a covered drug, as defined in the Drug Take-Back Act, that is sold or offered for sale in Illinois must have registered with Illinois EPA and remitted the $2,500 registration fee no later than January 1, 2023. This is an annual registration and must be completed before January 1 of each subsequent year following 2023. A copy of the Manufacturer registration form is available below. Completed forms may be submitted electronically to EPA.Recycling@illinois.gov. The registration fee may be paid online or by a check submitted to:
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Attn: Materials Management and Compliance Section- Mail Code #24
2520 W Iles Ave, PO Box 19276
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276
By July 1, 2023, each covered manufacturer, collectively through two designated stewardship organizations, submitted to Illinois EPA for review and approval a proposal for the establishment and implementation of a drug take-back program.
By April 1, 2025, and each April 1 thereafter, each manufacturer program operator must submit a report to Illinois EPA describing implementation of the drug take-back program during the previous calendar year. These reports must include the following:
- a list of the covered manufacturers participating in the drug take-back program during the program year;
- the total amount, by weight, of covered drugs collected and the amount, by weight, from each collection method used during the program year, reported by county;
- the total amount, by weight, of covered drugs collected from each collection site during the prior year;
- the following details regarding the program's collection system: (a.) a list of collection sites, with addresses; (b.) collection sites where mailers to program collection sites, for dissemination to consumers, and education and outreach materials were made available to the public; (c.) dates and locations of collection events held; and (d.) the transporters and disposal facility or facilities used to dispose of the covered drugs collected;
- a description of the promotion, education, and public outreach activities implemented;
- a description of how collected packaging was recycled to the extent feasible; and
- an evaluation of the program's effectiveness in collecting covered drugs during the program year and of any program changes that have been implemented.
100% coverage as required pursuant to the Drug Take-Back Act is achieved. Check for coverage locations at the MED-Project and Inmar websites below.
MED-Project website: https://med-project.org/locations/illinois/
Inmar website: https://safemedicinedrop.com/locations/illinois/
Collection Site locations continue to be added. Please contact MED-Project or Inmar at the links above for the most updated list.
Information concerning addendums to the Plans and Illinois EPA's review may be requested by contacting EPA.Recycling@Illinois.gov.
On September 26, 2023, Illinois EPA approved both Program Proposals for the Drug Take-Back Act Program implementation and establishment in Illinois. As of December 11, 2023, 100% coverage has been achieved.
