Proper disposal of prescription and over-the-counter medications is important because:

• It prevents the chemicals found in medicines from contaminating waters, harming wildlife and polluting drinking water, which can happen when medicines are thrown away, flushed down the toilet or washed down the drain.
• It reduces the possibility of prescription drug abuse.
• It reduces the risk of accidental consumption by children or pets.

Drop box locations

The police department has a medicine drop box installed in the lobby area to dispose of household medicines, including prescription, over-the-counter and pet medicines. The drop box is accessible at all times for people to dispose of unwanted or unused medicine at no cost. Medicines should be brought in their original containers.

Hennepin County also has several other drop box locations throughout the area. Visit Hennepin County’s medicine disposal page for locations and hours.

Medicine disposal bags

St. Louis Park’s fire and police departments offer free medication disposal bags to residents. This is another safe way to get rid of unused prescription medications.

Steps for proper disposal

Each free medication disposal bag holds up to 90 pills, 12 ounces of liquid medication or 12 transdermal patches. The bags contain activated carbon which neutralizes the medication and prevents it from contaminating groundwater and drinking water.

1. Place medication in the bag
2. Fill the bag halfway with warm tap water
3. Wait 30 seconds
4. Seal and discard the bag in the garbage

Where to pick up bags

You can pick up medication disposal bags Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at one of the following locations:

• Fire Station 1, 3750 Wooddale Ave. S.
• Police Department, 3015 Raleigh Ave. S.

There is a limit of two bags per St. Louis Park household. Bags are for home use only. Residents interested in larger quantities may contact the police department at 952.924.2600 for information about purchasing the bags at cost.

Sharps

The fire department and police department do not accept sharps, including needles, lancets, syringes and used epi-pens. Visit household hazardous waste page for sharps disposal options.