Prescription Drug Take Back

The Prescription Drug Take Back, held each spring and fall, is a safe place to dispose of expired, unwanted prescription drugs.

The next Prescription Drug Take Back will take place on Saturday, April 22nd from 10 AM – 2 PM.

Bring your unneeded, unwanted medications to any of the locations listed below for safe disposal.

Reno:

Smiths 175 Lemmon Drive
Smiths 750 S. Meadows Pkwy
Raley’s 1630 Robb Drive
Raley’s 18144 Wedge Pkwy
Elk’s Lodge 597 Kumle Ln

Sparks:

Smiths 1255 Baring Blvd
Elk’s Lodge 517 S. Rock Blvd

Spanish Springs 

RSIC Smoke Shop 7655 Pyramid Hwy

Cold Springs 

Cold Springs Community Center 3355 White Lake Pkwy

Call 775-324-7557 with any questions!

RX DISPOSAL INFORMATIONAL TRI-FOLD | ENGLISH | SPANISH

Rates of prescription drug abuse are increasing throughout the country, and studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends. The community is safer without unneeded prescription drugs in a home with the potential for abuse by young children or others. Proper disposal of unused medicines is a public health issue since the environment can become polluted by medicines that are thrown away or flushed down toilets.

Unused/expired prescription medications, nonprescription pills, and prescription liquids in the original container. Feel free to remove any personal identification from the container.

If you’d like to dispose of sharps, please contact Northern Nevada Hopes at 775-348-2893 or review the following information: Sharps Disposal Card View instructions for safe home disposal here.

The best way to dispose of old prescription drugs is to use a take-back program, however, if a take-back program is not available there are other quick and easy ways to dispose of old prescription drugs:

  • Mix them in with something to help them break down. Follow the easy steps below for quick home disposal.
    • Take the medications out of their bottles.
    • Mix them with something unappealing like kitty litter or coffee grounds.
    • Seal the medication/kitty litter mixture into a bag or disposable container like a plastic detergent bottle and throw away.
  • Dispose of unwanted prescription drugs at permanent prescription drug drop boxes located in the lobbies of the following police departments:
    • Reno Police Department at 455 E. 2nd Street, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Sparks Police Department at 1701 E. Prater Way, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Washoe County Sheriff’s Office at 911 Parr Blvd., Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    • University of Nevada, Reno Police Services at 1664 N. Virginia Street Student Services Building, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More Questions? Call us at 775-324-7557.

WASHOE COUNTY SPONSORS: Join Together Northern Nevada, Nevada State Medical Association, Northern Nevada Hopes, Northern Nevada Outreach Team, Reno Police Department, Raley’s, Retail Association of Nevada, SaveMart, Sparks Police Department, Smith’s Food and Drug, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, University of Nevada Reno Police Department, Washoe County Medical Society, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.