How To Recycle And Dispose Of Medications In Montgomery County Maryland Everything You Need To Know In 2025

Do You Need To Know How To Dispose Of Expired Medications In Maryland? Expert Answers And Solutions From Secure Waste.

If you have questions about medication disposal, rest assured—we’re excited to help! In Maryland, medication use is at an all-time high, and I understand the importance of this topic. 

Often, we don’t finish our prescriptions or find that some medications expire. Recognizing that leftover medications can affect our well-being and the environment is essential. That’s why Secure Waste offers a variety of thoughtful options for you to consider. 

Thank you for taking the positive step toward safely disposing of and recycling your expired and unused medication in Montgomery County, Maryland. Together, we can make a difference!

Before diving into how to dispose of expired medications through the regular waste stream in Maryland, let’s explore some excellent, eco-friendly alternatives we can consider together!

• We invite you to participate in the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative events! These events are a great opportunity to safely dispose of unused medications and help keep our communities healthy and drug-free. Join us in making a positive impact!
• Feel free to donate or drop off your unused medications at approved Prescription Drug Repositories and Pharmacy Drop-off Locations across Maryland—together, we can make a difference!
  
  

What should you do with unwanted or expired medicines? Don’t just toss them aside! We take those off your hands and treat them as trash. Let’s keep our communities safe and declutter your space simultaneously!

• In our curbside trash collections or at the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station

Special disposal of household hazardous waste is not necessary in Montgomery County.

1. Place unwanted or expired medication into a sealable plastic bag or other empty container to prevent liquid medications from leaking.
2. Mix with kitty litter, coffee grounds, or sawdust. (Liquid medications can be solidified using kitty litter or sawdust.)
3. Seal the bag and/or container.
4. Put the medication bag and/or container into your regular household trash.
5. Remove the label with the patient’s name from the original medicine vial or bottle.
6. Place the empty plastic vial or bottle in your blue recycling bin. Empty aerosol inhalers can also be recycled in your recycling bin.

These municipalities have permanent drop-off sites:

• Chevy Chase Village Police Department Medication Drop Box
• City of Gaithersburg Prescription Medication Disposal
• City of Takoma Park Prescription Drug Take Back