Medication and Sharps Takeback program acceptable vs. non-acceptable items
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Medication Takeback
The Colorado household medication and sharps takeback program can accept most prescription and over-the-counter medications, including pills, patches, liquids, and ointments.
We can accept:
- Prescription medications, including prescribed controlled substances (DEA Schedule II– V)
- Over-the-counter medications
- Liquid medications (small amounts in original, non-leaking containers)
- Medicated patches (Used Fentanyl and Duragesic® patches are extremely hazardous. They may be folded in half, sticky-side together, and flushed down the toilet.)
- Medication samples
- Medicated ointments
- Vitamins
- Pet medications
- Unused drug injection cartridges, e.g., unused EpiPens® and insulin pens (must be unused with the needle still protected inside)
- Unused inhaler canisters, e.g., Advair®, Spiriva®, ProAir,® and Ventolin® (must be unused, no empty canisters or unneeded plastic holders/mouth pieces)
We cannot accept:
- Marijuana
- Illicit drugs (e.g., DEA Schedule I drugs like heroin, LSD, etc.)
- Needles, syringes, and other sharps
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Medical tools and supplies
- Bloody or infectious waste
- Personal care products
- Thermometers
- Empty containers
- Commercial Medical Waste from health care facilities.
Alternative Programs and Resources
- Thermometers and other mercury containing devices
All Colorado Ace Hardware stores and other Colorado businesses participate in a program to recycle mercury-containing thermostats.
Visit Thermostat-Recycle.org for a complete list of locations. - Medical tools and supplies
Some charities will accept medical tools and supplies in good, usable condition. Project CURE is one such charity.
Sharps Takeback
The Colorado household medication and sharps takeback program provides a safe and easy way to dispose of your used needles. An accidental poke from a used needle can spread infections such as hepatitis and HIV, and simply throwing used needles in the trash doesn’t reduce the risk.
In Colorado communities with sharps disposal kiosks, simply take your container of used injection needles to the kiosk and drop it inside.
We can accept:
- Most supplies used for home medication injections are accepted. This includes injections given to pets.
- While the program is primarily intended for household prescription medication injection supplies, needles used for unprescribed drugs can also be accepted.
- Syringes, blood sampling lancets, and cotton or gauze pads used during injections can also be accepted.
- Injection pens with a needle exposed and no longer containing medication are accepted.
We cannot accept:
- Medication, supplements, cannabis, and illicit drugs of any kind.
- Empty I.V. bags.
- Expired injection cartridges (e.g., EpiPens®) that still contain medication can be disposed of through the medication takeback program, whether the needle is protected inside or has been removed.
- Used needles and other injection supplies from medical facilities, health care clinics, or commercial agencies cannot be accepted.
- Injection pens that no longer contain medication and have the needle retracted or removed can be thrown away in the trash.
Did you know?
Sharps can also be safely disposed of in the trash, with proper precautions. Sharps should be placed in hard, secure containers and clearly labeled as “Sharps” or "Biohazard Waste” before being disposed of.
For more information and a disposal procedure, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact cdphe_med_takeback@state.co.us.