Drug/Sharps Disposal

Improper disposal of unused or expired drugs and hypodermic needles (sharps) can pose a risk to family members, solid waste professionals, and the environment. Needle-stick injuries can cause infection and spread disease, while accidental ingestion of drugs can result in serious injury and death. In addition, medicine and syringes may pollute water resources and impact wildlife if flushed down the drain. Protect the environment and limit the risk of ingestion and needle-sticks by taking advantage of these disposal options.

Drug Disposal

Drug Collection Sites

The best way to dispose of most types of unused or expired medicine is to bring it to an authorized drug disposal location immediately.  

• Year-Round Locations – Some pharmacies offer year-round take back of pharmaceutical drugs. As of 4/15/22 here are local options:.    

  HANNAFORD BROS. CO., LLC	95 SPRING ST	AUBURN, ME 04210
  BEDARD PHARMACY, INC.	359 MINOT AVE STE B	AUBURN, ME 04210
  CVS STATE CAPITAL, L.L.C.	8 UNION STREET	AUBURN, ME 04210
  SHAWS SUPERMARKETS INC	27 EAST AVE	LEWISTON, ME 04240
  BEDARD PHARMACY INC	61 COLLEGE ST	LEWISTON, ME 04240
  SHAWS SUPERMARKETS INC	600 CENTER ST	AUBURN, ME 04210
  CVS STATE CAPITAL, L.L.C.	446 SABATTUS ST.	LEWISTON, ME 04240
  HANNAFORD BROS. CO., LLC	692 SABATTUS ST	LEWISTON, ME 04240
  HANNAFORD BROS. CO., LLC	1603 MAIN ST	OXFORD, ME 04270
  WALGREEN EASTERN CO., INC.	53 PARIS ST	NORWAY, ME 04268
  SPRUCE MOUNTAIN PHARMACY INC.	148 MAIN ST	JAY, ME 04239

                   Additional year-round locations near you can be found here including most area police stations.  

• Community Drug Take Back Events– Typically in April and October each year select schools, pharmacies, and other municipal facilities will host free events.                                                        

  Poland Town Office	1231 Maine Street	Poland
  Turner Fire & Rescue Station	19 General Turner Hill Road	Turner
  Auburn Police Department	60 Court Street	Auburn
  Bedard Pharmacy	359 Minot Avenue	Auburn
  Lewiston High School	156 East Avenue	Lewiston
  Lisbon Police Department	300 Lisbon Street	Lisbon
  Livermore Falls Police Department	2 Main Street	Livermore Falls
  Mechanic Falls Police Department	108 Lewiston Street	Mechanic Falls
  Sabattus Police Department	190 Middle Road	Sabattus
  Mexico Police Department	134 Main Street	Mexico

               For additional locations please visit the DEA’s website. 

What is typically accepted at collection sites:

• Prescriptions
• Over-the-counter 
• Veterinary medications 
• Vitamins 
• Homeopathic treatment 

What is NOT accepted:  

• Needles/Syringes 
• Aerosols (inhalers) 
• Items containing mercury 
• Liquids 

Home Disposal

If you cannot get to a drug take back location promptly, follow these steps to ensure safe disposal. 

• Very few medications are on the FDA flush list. Unless noted on the container, do NOT flush medications down the drain. 
• Mix prescription drugs uncrushed with an undesirable substance, like coffee grounds or kitty litter in a sealed plastic bag and dispose of in the trash.  
• Remove any personal information from prescription containers before disposing.

Sharps Disposal

Home Disposal

If sharps are used in the home, here are several no cost or low-cost disposal solutions to consider.

•  Needle Clipping Devices – Small handheld devices clip off and store up to 1,500 syringe needles rendering the syringe safe for regular disposal with household trash. Once the device is full it can also be safely thrown out without any additional precautions.
  
  NEW: Free needle-clipping devices are being offered courtesy of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Becton, Dickinson and Company, and Rite Aid Pharmacy. Maine Residents can request a free needle-clipping device here.
  
  
• Mail-Back Disposal Options – Many pharmaceutical companies offer pre-paid mail-back programs free of charge to patients using their injectables. Check here to see if your medicine is covered. Local pharmacies may also carry pre-paid mail-back sharps containers or envelopes. 
• Home Sharps Disposal Containers - Rigid home sharps containers with locking lids may be placed in your household trash. Local pharmacies may carry these containers for sale, while some manufacturers may provide them for free through patient support programs. 
• DIY Disposal Containers - As a last resort, you can also make one using rigid, puncture-resistant containers that you can’t see through (i.e. bleach or detergent bottles, coffee cans, etc.). Be sure to label the containers “Do Not Recycle” and reinforce containers with heavy-duty tape before disposing of in household trash, not recycling. 

Sharps Collection Sites 

When you are away from home here are some public options. 

• Maine Turnpike Authority Plazas
• Local Hospitals - Some hospitals may accept used sharps and dispose of them as part of their waste stream. Contact the hospital’s Environmental Services Department for more information. 
• Lewiston Public Sharps Disposal Sites (PDF) – The City of Lewiston sponsors a number of sharp boxes located on this map. For the most current information contact publicworks@lewistonmaine.gov or call (207) 513-3003. 

Commercial Solutions

• For small to medium sized medical waste generators such as medical facilities, educational institutions, funeral homes, and long-term care facilities there are number of full-service or self-service sharps management options.  

 Ways to Reduce Sharp Waste

• Consider returning unused sharps to a needle exchange program. Contact the Church of Safe Injection;  msgratefulforrecovery@gmail.com for locations and hours in Lewiston.  

How Can I Find More Information about Disposing of Sharps? 

• Call your trash or public health department about options. 
• Ask your health care provider or local pharmacist if they can dispose of your used needles. 
• Contact the Coalition for Safe Community Needle Disposal at (800) 643-1643 or visit the Safe Needle website. 
• Proper Disposal of Household Sharps in the State of Maine Brochure. (PDF) - For more information, contact the Maine Department of Environmental Protection Biomedical Waste Program at (207) 287-7688 or visit  https://www.maine.gov/dep/waste/biomedical/sharps.html.