Health Department

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administration office at 10777 Main Street in Fairfax is open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Clinic services are not offered at this location.
703-246-2411 TTY 711
10777 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22030
Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H.
Director of Health

Safe Disposal of Medicines

Do you have unused or expired over-the-counter or prescription medicine in your cabinet? Dispose of them properly to help prevent misuse and accidental poisonings and to protect the environment. Wastewater Treatment Plants and Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems are not designed to remove these chemicals. As a result these medications can end up in the environment and eventually in our drinking water.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as local organizations, host "take-back" days, when residents can bring medicines to a designated site for proper disposal. Learn more about the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative.

In addition, Fairfax County Police stations and area pharmacies now provide permanent drug disposal dropboxes where residents can safely dispose of their unused or expired medications anytime of the year. Use the map below to find the location nearest you to safely dispose of your unused medications.

 

 

You also can pick up a drug disposal kit at Fairfax County Health Department offices and other drug disposal kit distribution locations. Before visiting a Health Department office, please call to confirm that kits are available.
 

General Home Medical Disposal Information

Don't Flush Unused Medicines!

Why? Because they can end up in our rivers and streams. To help protect our environment, throw unused, unwanted or expired over-the-counter and prescription medicines in the trash. Don’t flush medicines — except when specifically instructed by the label

Check the pill bottle for any instructions on proper disposal. If none are present, follow these steps:

  • Remove medicine from original containers. Do not crush tablets or capsules.
  • Mix medicine with undesirable substance like kitty litter or used coffee grounds. 
  • Place mixture in a tightly sealable bag or container and throw away in trash.
  • Black out all personal information on the prescription label so that it is unreadable.

Get more information on how to throw away medicines safely.
 

Disposal of Needles and Syringes

The medicine drop-off locations and drug disposal pouches cannot be used for needles and syringes. Learn how to safely dispose of needles, syringes and other medical waste from your home. (Please note: Commercial facilities, such as nursing homes, must use a licensed disposal company to get rid of their waste.)
 

National Drug Disposal Initiative

Learn about the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Take-Back Initiative, which holds National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days. On these days, residents can safely dispose of unwanted, unused prescription drugs at a nearby drop-off location.
 

Resources

Fairfax Virtual Assistant