Disposal of Unwanted Medications

Purpose
This unused medication collection program's aim is to protect Henry and Stark County surface and groundwater resources, while reducing the amount of materials going to the landfills. In addition, the program helps to protect area residents' health by reducing the number of "out-of-date" and unnecessary medicines kept in the home environment.

Locations
The Health Department offers the following instructions for the "Drop-Off" of Pharmaceuticals at their 2 locations:

  • 110 N Burr Boulevard, Kewanee
  • 103 1st Street, Colona

Drop-Off Instructions

  • Bring only residentially generated medication items. No medication from businesses or doctor's offices can be taken. 
  • Take medications to the collection site during business hours only. Monday through Friday from 8AM to 4PM
  • Follow instructions at the Drop-Office site. Give medications to  drop-off site personnel only. 
  • Dump pill bottles into a plastic baggie so just the pills are in the baggie (The pill bottles are then able to be put in the trash or recycling bins) OR Black out the name that is on the pill bottle before you bring the medication to the drop site. 
  • Do NOT dump liquid medications into a bag full of pills. If there is a name of the bottle though black it out. 
  • This is not a share or recycle opportunity. All medications will be destroyed by an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) contracted disposal company in an environmentally safe manner.

Items Accepted
The following items are accepted at Take Back site and include expired or unwanted items?

  • Prescription Medications
  • Over-the-Counter Medicines
  • Medicated Ointments
  • Medicated Shampoos
  • Liquids containing medications
  • Prescription Inhalers
  • Over-the-Counter Inhalers
  • Glass Thermometers containing Mercury
  • Medical devices containing Mercury (i.e., blood pressure units, barometers)

Items Not Accepted

  • Sharps and Needles
  • DEA - Drug Enforcement Agency controlled substances
  • Narcotic Medications
  • Illegal Drugs
  • Biohazard Materials
  • Radioactive Materials
  • Other Household Wastes

More Information
For more information on the Health Departments' new Unused Medication Collection Program you can call the Health Department at 309-852-0197 (Main Office), 792-4011 (West Office), or at 309-852-3115 (Stark County).