Medication Drop Off
There is a prescription drug drop box at the police department. If you have medication you no longer need just bring it in to the police department, in the original container, for proper disposal. It is free of charge and no ID is necessary.
Accepted Medicine at Drug Drop Box
controlled substances
over-the-counter medicines
vitamins and supplements
pet medicines
Not Accepted Medicines at Drug Drop Box
medicines from businesses such as:
health care facilities
pharmacies
doctor offices
pharmaceutical representatives
veterinary clinics
liquids
needles
sharps
syringes
Needles and Sharps Disposals
Check with your healthcare provider to see if they collect sharps for disposal.
Destroy at home devices or containers with mechanisms that bend, break, incinerate (destroy with high heat), or shear needles are called sharps needle destruction devices.
A destruction device that incinerates needles and lancets can be used to destroy sharps immediately after use. Once a needle or lancet is destroyed, the remaining syringe and melted metal can be safely disposed of in the garbage (not a recycling container).
A needle cutter that automatically stores the cut needles is also useful while away from home. A needle clipper that stores clipped needles should be disposed of at a sharps collection site or through a mail-back program.
Use a mail-in program for syringes and needles.
Stericycle, Inc., 651-644-1480 or 1-800-355-8773
Sharps, Inc., 1-800-772-5657
GRP Medical Services, 1-800-207-0976
MedPro Disposal, 1-888-641-6131
Hennepin County drop-off facilities accept: Sharps (needles, lancets, used epi-pens, and syringes) from households only.
Locations: Bloomington and Brooklyn Park drop-off facility
Fee: No charge
Materials preparation:
Prepare your needles and sharps - Store in a rigid, puncture-resistant, plastic container with a screw-on lid. Examples include empty laundry detergent bottles with screw-on lids. You can purchase a sharps disposable container from a pharmacy. Do NOT use a glass container.
Label the empty container, "Do not recycle: Household sharps."
Put used needles into the container point-first. Note: Do not put unused medicines contained in sharps (epi-pens) in your container.
Only fill container half-full of needles and sharps. Keep the lid screwed on to prevent spills.
Remember to bring Proof of residency, such as a driver's license (required)
Dispose of needles and sharps at the county's drop-off facilities, Staff will guide you to the needles and sharps drop-off area. Your sharps must be in a proper container, and you will be responsible for placing your container into the drop-off bin.
Sharps will not be accepted if not in a rigid, puncture-resistant, plastic container with a screw-on lid. Staff will not handle needles and sharps.
Hennepin County facilities do not accept: Medicines or unused medicines contained in sharps (epi-pens), needles and sharps from businesses including healthcare facilities, pharmacies, pharmaceutical representatives, doctor's offices and veterinary clinics.
Hazardous materials precaution: Dispose of sharps safely to prevent injury and disease transmission from needle-sticks. Never place containers with used needles or syringes or loose needles in a recycling bin or garbage.
Safe storage of needles and sharps Store your needles and sharps in a rigid, puncture resistant, plastic container with a screw-on lid. Examples include empty laundry detergent bottles with screw-on lids. You can also purchase a sharps disposable container from a pharmacy. Do NOT use a glass container.
Hennepin County, Minnesota