How to Safely Dispose of Unwanted Medication in Kane County
Improperly disposing of medications can pollute rivers, streams, and drinking water. Wastewater treatment plants often can’t remove dissolved medications, allowing these chemicals to enter the environment. This issue was a key topic of discussion at the March Kane County Energy and Environmental Committee meeting. To prevent contamination, old medications should never be flushed down the toilet, poured down the sink, or disposed of through any drainage system.
Kane County has 34 free drop-off kiosks where residents can safely dispose of medications. The Illinois Drug Take-Back Act of 2023 helped expand a robust network of drop-off sites throughout the state and county last year, with even more locations added this year. Recent additions include new kiosks on the west side of Aurora, the west side of Elgin, in West Dundee, and in the Kane County portion of Huntley, ensuring that the vast majority of county residents have a site nearby.
Residents can find their closest drop-off location using the map tool at https://medtakebackillinois.org/ or on the Kane County Recycling Website. Recycle Coach users can search “medications” to locate drop-off sites as well. These websites also provide details on which items are accepted through the program. Items not accepted—such as unwanted or expired vitamins, dietary supplements, or naturopathic medicines—should be disposed of in the trash rather than flushed.
For those unable to visit a drop-off site, free mail-back kits are available and can be requested at https://medtakebackillinois.org/ or by calling (844) 482-5322.
Everyone is encouraged to use drug take-back services to dispose of excess medications as they accumulate, rather than storing them at home. Proper disposal helps keep households safer by reducing the risk of accidental misuse or overdose. Additionally, getting rid of certain prescription painkillers, anxiety medications, and sleep aids when they’re no longer needed decreases the risk of drug dependence and potential overdose.
