The Bristol Police Department has provided a medication collection container for residents who may want to safely dispose of any expired, unused or unwanted medications. Located in the lobby, this collection box is available 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year.
Since 2013, the Bristol Police Department has collected on average, 230 lbs of medication annually, which is not in conjunction with the DEA’s (Drug Enforcement Agency) Take Back Initiative Days.
We ask that residents choosing to properly dispose of medications to please leave them in the original container from the manufacturer or as obtained from the pharmacy.
Please do not transfer medications to glass containers, as they can break inside of the collection receptacle.
What Can Be Accepted?
- Prescription medications, including prescribed controlled substances (DEA Schedule II– V).
- Over-the-counter medications.
- Medicated patches.
- Medication samples.
- Vitamins.
- Pet medications.
For more information on the medication collection program, or to locate a collection site in your community, please visit http://www.medreturn.com/.
What Can’t Be Accepted?
- Needles, syringes, and other sharps.
- Chemotherapy drugs.
- Medical tools and supplies.
- Bloody or infectious waste.
- Thermometers.
- Aerosol medications, such as inhalers.
- Cremes, gels, liquids or ointments.
Safe Sharp Disposal in Rhode Island
Put needles, lancets and needle pens into a sharps container immediately after use. Do not try to remove, bend, break, or recap needles.
If you do not have a sharps container, put them into a puncture-proof plastic bleach, detergent, or coffee container, tape shut, and label “SHARPS.”
Do NOT use a glass container, soda can, juice bottle, or milk container for sharps.
Keep out of Landfill via Special Program:
From a RI household: Call the Eco-Depot Program for a FREE appointment at 942-1430 x 241 or make an appointment on their website. On this page you can also download their Eco-Depot brochure, listing other HHW items you may have to dispose, and make a single trip.
Trash: If the above is not an option, safe sharps may be disposed of in your regular trash. Put your properly prepared sharps container (as described to the right) in the center of a full, preferably dark trash bag, and put the bag out in the regular trash.