Household Medical Waste

Proper disposal of medical waste helps prevent accidental poisoning, drug abuse, and potential health hazards. Below you will find information to safely dispose of medications and used needles.

Unused, excess, or expired prescription medications

When medications in the home are not kept safe and secure, they create the risk of abuse or accidental poisoning.

Project Medicine Drop Box: Safely dispose of unused, excess or expired pills, capsules, patches and pet medications, in their packaging. Black out your personal information on the label to protect your privacy. The following drop box locations are accessible 24/7:

  • Warren Township Police Department
    44 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, NJ 07059
    Non-emergency phone: 908-753-1000
  • Bridgewater Township Police Department
    100 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
    Non-emergency phone: 908-722-4111

Alternatively, if no disposal instructions are provided on the medication label, you can throw medications in the household trash. First take them out of the original containers and mix them with used coffee grounds or kitty litter. Then put the mixture in a sealable bag, empty can, or other container to prevent it from leaking out of a garbage bag.

Do not flush medicine down the toilet or pour down the drain.

More information can be found at njconsumeraffairs.gov.

Used Needles

Proper disposal of used needles or syringes prevent potential health hazards to others. New Jersey State law requires the safe disposal of syringes and needles.

Speak to your healthcare provider who may have a safe needle disposal program or may be able to refer you to one. You can also contact Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Somerset as they have traditionally hosted a safe needle disposal program.

  • Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset
    110 Rehill Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876
    908-685-2200

OR

Alternatively, you can place used syringes and needles into a heavy-duty plastic container, such as a laundry detergent or bleach bottle. The container should be puncture resistant and leakproof.  Screw on the lid tightly and label the container as “SHARPS – DO NOT RECYCLE”. You can legally dispose of the container in your household garbage, but we encourage you to check with your solid waste disposal company before you place the container in your household trash.