Medication Disposal
Most medication, unless indicated otherwise on the package, may be disposed of in your regular household trash (blue bin) after removing it from the container and mixing it with something undesirable such as coffee grounds or kitty litter. Do not flush medication down the toilet.
Alternatively, unwanted or expired medication and opioids (solid medication only, no liquids or needles) can be dropped off in kiosks at the following locations:
- Newton Police Department (1321 Washington St)
- West Lobby of Newton-Wellesley Hospital (2014 Washington St)
- Front of City Hall (1000 Commonwealth Ave)
The Newton Police Department and the Health & Human Services Department periodically collaborate with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to collect unused and expired medication on Drug Takeback Day.
Sharps Disposal
Sharps are needles and lancets used at home to inject medicine into people or pets. Properly disposing of sharps helps keep potentially harmful products out of the waste stream. A new state regulation went into effect on July 1, 2012 that prohibits people from disposing of needles and lancets in the trash.
Place sharps in a puncture-proof container (such as an empty detergent bottle) for safe disposal. See the Guide to Responsible Sharps Disposal for more information.
Newton residents may bring sharps in proper containers to the Rumford Avenue Resource Recovery Center (115 Rumford Ave, Auburndale). Please bring proof of Newton residency.
Source: City of Newton Sustainable Materials Management Division