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Medication Disposal
Overview
Medication Disposal Bins in the Conejo Valley
The City of Thousand Oaks residents can safely and confidentially dispose of expired, unused, or unwanted pharmaceuticals at several locations in the city for free. The medication bins are for home-generated medications only. No business, hospital or clinic waste is accepted.
Pharmaceutical Mail-In Program for Homebound or Disabled Individuals
For residents who are physically unable to visit a medication drop-off location, the City's Public Works Department will provide complimentary mail-in envelopes for medication disposal. To request an envelope, please call (805) 449-SAVE (7283) or send a request by email with your name, mailing address, and phone number.
How to Dispose:
- At home, remove pills and other solid medications from their containers and consolidate them into a clear, plastic, zippered bag
- Drop off the zippered bag of pills/solids and any liquids and creams tightly sealed in their original packaging at a proper drop-off location
- Obscure personal info from containers and place them in your recycling bin.
- Yes, it’s that easy!
What to Dispose:
- Prescription medications
- Over-the-counter medications
- Medicated ointments and lotions (leave tightly sealed in original containers)
- Pet medications
- Schedule II – V controlled substances (e.g. oxycodone, codeine, amphetamine, ketamine, alprazolam, clonazepam)
Not Accepted at Medication Drop-off Locations:
- Illegal substances
- Schedule I Controlled Substances (e.g. marijuana, heroin, LSD, etc.)
- To check if your medication is a controlled substance, click here
- Medical sharps and needles (hypodermic needles, syringes, auto-injectors e.g. EpiPen®, infusion sets, connection needles/sets, and lancets)
- Iodine-containing medications
- Thermometers (mercury & non-mercury types)
- Radiopharmaceuticals
- Chemotherapy or cytotoxic medications
- Compressed gas cylinders or aerosols (e.g. asthma inhalers – If empty, put in trash. If not empty: bring to Lynn Oaks Compounding Pharmacy listed above)
- Vitamins and dietary supplements
- Commercial medical waste (e.g. company representative’s product samples, waste from hospitals, clinics, and doctor/dentist/veterinarian practices)