Medication Disposal

Have unused or expired medication at home? Outagamie County has permanent medication drop boxes where residents can safely dispose of many unwanted medications.

Proper medication disposal can help prevent accidental poisoning, medication misuse and theft while also keeping medications out of the environment.

Find a Medication Drop-Off Location

Many local law enforcement agencies in Outagamie County provide permanent medication drop boxes for residents.

Bring unwanted or expired medications to a participating collection site listed below. Contact the location before you go if you have questions about what they accept.

Permanent Drop-Box Locations in Outagamie County

Department	Address	Phone	Hours
Outagamie County Sheriff's Department	3030 Goodland Dr. Appleton, WI 54911	920-832-5605	Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Fox Valley Metro Police Department	200 W McKinley Ave. Little Chute, WI 54140	920-788-7505	Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Grand Chute Police Department	1900 W Grand Chute Blvd. Appleton, WI 54913	920-832-1575	Monday - Sunday 24 hours (Mon-Sun) If town hall is closed, pick up the vestibule phone to be let in.
Hortonville Police Department	531 N Nash St. Hortonville, WI 54944	920-779-6165	Monday - Sunday 24 hours
Kaukauna Police Department	144 W 2nd St. Kaukauna, WI 54130	920-766-6333	Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Oneida Police Department	2783 Freedom Rd. Oneida, WI 54155	920-869-2239	Monday - Sunday 24 hours
Seymour Police Department	328 N Main St. Seymour, WI 54170	920-833-2366	Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Shiocton Police Department	N5605 WI-76 Shiocton, WI 54170	920-986-3294	Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Outagamie County Sheriff's Department Red Disposable Box

What is ACCEPTED?

Prescriptions
Prescription Patches
Prescription Medications
Prescription Ointments
Over-the-Counter Medications
Vitamins
Samples
Medications for pets

What is NOT ACCEPTED?

Hydrogen Peroxide
Inhalers
Aerosol Cans
Ointments, Lotions or Liquids
Thermometers
Needles (SHARPS)
Medications from Business or Clinics

If you're unsure whether an item is accepted, contact the collection site before bringing it in.

Have needles or other sharps?

Do not put needles, syringes or lancets in a medication drop box.

Learn how to safely dispose of household sharps through our Household Sharps & Needle Disposal page.

How Should I Prepare Medication for Disposal?

Follow these guidelines when preparing medication for a drop box:

Place pills in a sealed plastic bag.
Keep liquids, creams and powders in their original containers.
Remove or cover personal information on prescription labels if desired.
Do not place sharps or other items that are not accepted into a medication drop box.
Recycle empty pill bottles and paper medication boxes at home when possible.

Do not mix medications with other household waste simply to get rid of them. If you're unsure how to dispose of an item, contact the collection site for instructions.

Can I Dispose of Medications at Home?

Some medications may be safely disposed of at home when a medication take-back option is not available.

We offer medication disposal bags/packets. You can get them by visiting our offices at 320 S. Walnut Street, Appleton or from our public health vending machine.

Learn more about our public health vending machine and the items we offer on our page.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides guidance on safely disposing of household pharmaceutical waste:

How to Safely Dispose of Household Pharmaceutical Waste – Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Whenever possible, using a medication take-back or permanent drop-box location is a convenient option for safely disposing of unwanted medications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I dispose of expired medication in Outagamie County?

Outagamie County has permanent medication drop boxes at several local law enforcement agencies. See the list of permanent medication drop-box locations above for addresses, hours and phone numbers.

Where can I dispose of prescription drugs?

Unused or expired prescription medications can be brought to participating permanent medication drop boxes in Outagamie County. Review the location list above for a collection site near you.

Can I dispose of over-the-counter medication?

Yes. Over-the-counter medications are accepted at the permanent medication drop-box locations listed above.

Can I dispose of pet medication?

Yes. Pet medications are accepted at the permanent medication drop-box locations listed above.

Can I dispose of liquid medication?

Yes. Liquid medications are accepted. Keep liquids in their original containers when preparing them for disposal.

Can I dispose of vitamins?

Vitamin supplements are accepted at the permanent medication drop-box locations listed above.

Can I put needles or syringes in a medication drop box?

No. Needles, syringes and lancets are not accepted in medication drop boxes. Visit Household Sharps & Needle Disposal to learn how to safely dispose of household sharps.

Can I throw medication in the garbage?

The safest option is to use a medication take-back or permanent drop-box location when one is available. For medications that cannot be taken to a collection site, follow Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources guidance for household pharmaceutical waste disposal.

Can I flush medication down the toilet?

Do not flush medications unless the medication's specific disposal instructions or an appropriate official disposal resource recommends flushing. Whenever possible, use a medication take-back or permanent drop-box location.

For guidance on disposing of medication at home, visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources household pharmaceutical waste guidance.

Other Medication Disposal Resources

Questions About Medication Disposal?

For questions about what a specific medication drop box accepts or how to prepare an item for disposal, contact the law enforcement agency operating the collection site.