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  • Green Disposal Guide

Hennepin County > Recycling and hazardous waste > Medicine disposal

Medicine disposal

See a complete list of medicine drop boxes below and be sure to follow safe storage guidelines for your medicines.

Safely dispose of unused medicines at one of the medicine drop boxes in Hennepin County. Drop boxes are operated in partnership with Hennepin County or by independent pharmacies.

  • Print a medicine disposal program flyer (PDF)

Environment and Energy

environment@hennepin.us

Phone: 612-348-3777

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Drop box locations

There are drop boxes located throughout Hennepin County for residents to dispose of medicines. 

Drop box locations

Medicine drop boxes operated in partnership with Hennepin County

These boxes are shown as red squares on the map.

Brooklyn Center – Brooklyn Center Police Department

6645 Humboldt Avenue North, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 

Map to Brooklyn Center Police Department

Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Brooklyn Center – Hennepin County Library/District Court – Brookdale

6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430 

Map to Brookdale Library

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

Brooklyn Park – Hennepin County Sheriff’s Patrol Headquarters

9401 83rd Avenue North, Brooklyn Park 55445 

Map to patrol headquarters

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Brooklyn Park – Police Department

5400 85th Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 

Map to Brooklyn Park Police Department

Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Brooklyn Park – Hennepin Healthcare Brooklyn Park Clinic Pharmacy

7650 Zane Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 

Map to Brooklyn Park Clinic Pharmacy

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Crystal – Police Department

4141 Douglas Dr. N, Crystal, MN 55422 

Map to Crystal Police Department

‭Hours: 24 hours a day, ‭7 days a week

Golden Valley – Police Department

7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, MN 55427 

Map to Golden Valley Police Department

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Maple Grove – Police Department

‭12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway North, Maple Grove, MN 55369 

Map to Maple Grove Police Department

‭Hours: 24 hours a day, ‭7 days a week

Minneapolis – Hennepin County Public Safety Facility

401 4th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55415 

Map to Public Safety Facility

Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Parking

  • Parking in downtown Minneapolis is available at street meters, ramps and lots.
  • Parking at Government Center ramp
  • Light rail: Government Plaza Station

Minneapolis – Hennepin Healthcare Clinic and Specialty Center

715 8th Street South, Minneapolis, MN 55404 – community pharmacy, 1st floor

Map to clinic

Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Minneapolis – Hennepin Healthcare Shapiro Pharmacy

900 South 8th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415 – Shapiro Building, Lower Level

Map to Shapiro Pharmacy

Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Minneapolis – Hennepin Healthcare St. Anthony Village Clinic Pharmacy

2714 Highway 88, Minneapolis, MN 55418 

Map to St. Anthony Village Clinic Pharmacy

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Closed daily 12:30 to 1 p.m.

Minneapolis – Hennepin Healthcare Whittier Clinic and Pharmacy

2810 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408 

Map to Whittier Clinic

Hours: Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Minneapolis – Police Department, 1st Precinct

19 4th Street North, Minneapolis, MN 55401 

Map to 1st Precinct

Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 

Minneapolis – NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center

2220 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411 

Map to NorthPoint

Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Minnetonka – Hennepin County District Court – Ridgedale

12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55305 

Map to Ridgedale

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.

Osseo – Police Department

415 Central Avenue, Osseo, MN 55369 

Map to Osseo Police Department

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 7:30–11:30 a.m.

Richfield – Hennepin Healthcare Richfield Clinic and Pharmacy

790 66th Street West, Richfield, MN 55423 – located in Market Plaza

Map to Richfield Clinic

Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Rogers – Police Department

21860 Industrial Court, Rogers, MN 55374 

Map to Rogers Police Department

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Spring Park – Hennepin County Sheriff’s Water Patrol

4141 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park, MN 55384 

Map to Water Patrol

Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

St. Anthony – Police Department

3301 Silver Lake Rd, St. Anthony, MN 55418 

Map to St. Anthony Police Department

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

St. Louis Park – Police Department

3015 Raleigh Avenue South, St. Louis Park, MN 55416 

Map to St. Louis Park Police Department

Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Medicine drop boxes operated by independent pharmacies*

These boxes are shown as yellow triangles on the map.

*It is important to check the websites of independent pharmacies before visiting their medicine drop boxes. What medicines are accepted, hours, and box appearance can vary.

Bloomington – CVS store

  • 8936 Lyndale Avenue, Bloomington, MN 55420
  • Learn more about CVS Pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Bloomington – Fairview Pharmacy

  • 600 West 98th Street, Bloomington, MN 55420
  • Learn more about Fairview pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Bloomington – Walgreens store

  • 9800 Lyndale Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55420
  • Learn more about Walgreens Pharmacy medicine take-back program.

Brooklyn Center – CVS store

  • 5801 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
  • Learn more about CVS Pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Brooklyn Park – CVS store

  • 4400 Oak Grove Parkway N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
  • Learn more about CVS Pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Brooklyn Park – Hy-Vee

  • 9409 Zane Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
  • Learn more about the Hy-Vee medicine take back program.

Brooklyn Park – Walgreens store

  • 7700 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
  • Learn more about Walgreens Pharmacy medicine take-back program.

Eden Prairie – CVS store

  • 8251 Columbine Road, Eden Prairie, MN, 55344
  • Learn more about CVS Pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Eden Prairie – Walgreens store

  • 16395 Wagner Way, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
  • Learn more about Walgreens Pharmacy medicine take-back program.

Edina – CVS store

  • 6905 York Avenue, Edina, MN, 55435
  • Learn more about CVS Pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Edina – Fairview Pharmacy Edina Physicians Building

  • 6401 France Ave South, Edina, MN 55435
  • Learn more about Fairview pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Edina – Fairview Southdale Oncology Pharmacy

  • 6363 France Ave. S., Edina, MN 55435
  • Learn more about Fairview pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Edina – Walgreens store

  • 6975 York Avenue South, Edina, MN 55435
  • Learn more about Walgreens Pharmacy medicine take-back program.

Hopkins – Walgreens store

  • 540 Blake Road North, Hopkins, MN 55343
  • Learn more about Walgreens Pharmacy medicine take-back program.

Maple Grove – CVS store

  • 6300 Wedgewood Road North, Maple Grove, MN, 55311
  • Learn more about CVS Pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Maple Grove – Fairview Pharmacy

  • 14500 – 99th Ave. N., Maple Grove, MN 55369
  • Learn more about Fairview pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Maple Grove – Hy-Vee

  • 18755 70th Way North, Maple Grove, MN 55311
  • Learn more about the Hy-Vee medicine take back program.

Maple Grove – North Memorial Health Pharmacy

  • 9825 Hospital Drive, Maple Grove, MN 55369
  • Learn more about North Memorial Health Pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Minneapolis – Allina Health Heart Hospital Pharmacy

  • 920 28th Street East (Suite 92005), Minneapolis, MN 55407 – located on the Abbott Northwestern Hospital Campus
  • Learn about the Allina medicine take-back program.

Minneapolis – Allina Health Phillips Eye Institute Pharmacy

  • 2215 Park Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55404
  • Learn about the Allina medicine take-back program.

Minneapolis – Allina Health Piper Building Pharmacy 

  • 913 26th Street East (1st Floor Piper Building), Minneapolis, MN 55404 – located on the Abbott Northwestern Hospital Campus
  • Learn about the Allina medicine take-back program.

Minneapolis – Boynton Health Pharmacy, University of Minnesota

  • 410 Church Street SE (N300), Minneapolis, MN 55455
  • Learn more about the Boynton Health Pharmacy medicine take-back program.

Minneapolis – CVS store

  • 1010 Lake Street West, Minneapolis, MN 55408
  • Learn more about CVS Pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Minneapolis – CVS store

  • 2001 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404
  • Learn more about CVS Pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Minneapolis – Fairview Pharmacy Riverside

  • 606 24th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55454
  • Learn more about Fairview pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Minneapolis – Fairview Pharmacy Smiley’s Clinic

  • 2020 – 28th Street East, Minneapolis, MN 55407
  • Learn more about Fairview pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Minneapolis – Fairview University Discharge

  • 500 Harvard Street, Minneapolis, MN 55455
  • Learn more about Fairview pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Minneapolis – Fairview Pharmacy University Village

  • 2545 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
  • Learn more about Fairview pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Minneapolis – Fairview Pharmacy University Clinic

  • 909 Fulton Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
  • Learn more about Fairview pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Minneapolis – Walgreens store

  • 4547 Hiawatha Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55406
  • Learn more about Walgreens Pharmacy medicine take-back program.

Minneapolis – Walgreens store

  • 2650 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55408
  • Learn more about Walgreens Pharmacy medicine take-back program.

New Hope – CVS store

  • 7901 Bass Lake Road, New Hope, MN, 55428
  • Learn more about CVS Pharmacies medicine take-back program.

New Hope – Hy-Vee

  • 8200 42nd Ave N, New Hope, MN 55427
  • Learn more about the Hy-Vee medicine take back program

Plymouth – Allina Health WestHealth Pharmacy 

  • 2855 Campus Drive, Plymouth, MN 55441 – located in the main lobby of Abbott Northwestern – WestHealth
  • Learn about the Allina medicine take-back program.

Plymouth – CVS store

  • 4140 County Road 101 North, Plymouth, MN, 55446
  • Learn more about CVS Pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Plymouth – Hy-Vee

  • 16705 County Road 24, Plymouth, MN 55447
  • Learn more about the Hy-Vee medicine take back program.

Richfield – CVS store

  • 6540 Penn Ave. South, Richfield, MN, 55423
  • Learn more about CVS Pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Robbinsdale – CVS store

  • 4152 Lakeland Avenue North, Robbinsdale, MN, 55422
  • Learn more about CVS Pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Robbinsdale – Hy-Vee

  • 3505 Bottineau Blvd., Robbinsdale, MN 55422
  • Learn more about the Hy-Vee medicine take back program.

Robbinsdale – North Memorial Health Pharmacy

  • 3300 Oakdale Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55422
  • Learn more about North Memorial Health Pharmacies medicine take-back program.

Rogers – CVS store

  • 21455 John Milless Drive, Rogers, MN, 55374
  • Learn more about CVS Pharmacies medicine take-back program.

St. Louis Park – CVS store

  • 4656 Excelsior Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
  • Learn more about CVS Pharmacies take back program.

St. Louis Park – Methodist Hospital and Pharmacy

  • 6500 Excelsior Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55426 – inside the pharmacy waiting room
  • Learn more about Fairview pharmacies medicine take-back program.

What happens to medicines after they are dropped off?

After medicines have been collected they are transported to an incinerator, where they will be destroyed. Incineration is the preferred method of medicine destruction for environmental safety and abuse prevention.

Hennepin County does not provide service to pick up medicines directly from your home. If someone contacts you offering this service, please call your local law enforcement agency.

Disposal in other counties

Many counties in the metro area offer medicine disposal options. Find additional options from the DEA.

Medicine disposal guidelines and materials accepted

Medicine drop boxes operated by independent pharmacies

It is important to check the websites of independent pharmacies before visiting their medicine drop boxes. What medicines are accepted, hours, and box appearance can vary.

Accepted at drop boxes operated by independent pharmacies

Pharmacies may not accept all forms of medication in drop boxes. Learn what medicines are accepted by visiting the sites below.

  • Allina Health
  • CVS
  • Health Partners
  • North Memorial Health
  • University of Minnesota
  • Walgreens

Medicine drop boxes operated in partnership with Hennepin County

Guidelines

  • Use of the program is free
  • No ID is required
  • Bring medicines in their original containers
  • If the medicine is no longer in the original container, place the medicine in quart-sized plastic bags. To avoid clogging the drop box, please do not bring medicines in gallon-size plastic bags or plastic shopping bags
  • The box is self-serve. Pull the handle to open it and then drop the medicines into the box. Drop the whole container — packaging and pills — into the box.

Accepted at drop boxes operated in partnership with Hennepin County

Medicines from households are accepted, including:

  • Prescription medicines, including Schedule II-V controlled substances (such as Vicodin, Percocet and Ritalin)
  • Over-the-counter medicines
  • Pet medicines

Medicines are accepted in the following forms:

  • Aerosols
  • Blister packs
  • Capsules
  • Creams
  • Gels
  • Inhalers
  • Liquids
  • Patches
  • Pills
  • Powders

Not accepted at medicine drop boxes

No illegal drugs

  • Schedule I

No needles, sharps or syringes

  • See the Green Disposal Guide: Needles and Sharps for safe disposal options.

No vape pens or e-cig devices

  • They can cause fires. Take to a county drop-off facility in Brooklyn Park or Bloomington.

No thermometers

  • Take to a drop-off facility.

No bandages, glucose meters, medical tape or other medical supplies

No empty pill bottles

  • You can recycle your empty pill bottles at home.

No medicines from businesses

  • These include health care facilities, pharmacies, pharmaceutical representatives, doctors’ offices and veterinary clinics.
  • See information about managing business hazardous waste.

No cosmetics and personal care products

Why is medicine disposal important?

Properly disposing of unused medicines is important

Prevent abuse or poisoning

Storing unused medicines in the home poses safety and health threats.

  • Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem, especially among teens.
  • Accidental poisonings from medicines are also on the rise. Learn more on the MN Poison Control System's website.
  • If you believe that you or someone you know has been poisoned: call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 for further instructions.

Protect the environment

Medicines flushed down the drain or disposed of in the trash can contaminate bodies of water, harm wildlife and end up in drinking water supplies.

Prescription drugs that are most often abused

If unused or unwanted, these are important drugs to remove from your home.

  • Painkillers: Vicodin, Tylenol with codeine, OxyContin, Percocet
  • Depressants: Xanax, Valium, Nembutal
  • Stimulants: Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta

What happens to medicines after they are dropped off?

After medicines have been collected they are transported to an incinerator, where they will be destroyed. Incineration is the preferred method of medicine destruction for environmental safety and abuse prevention.

Hennepin County does not provide service to pick up medicines directly from your home. If someone contacts you offering this service, please call your local law enforcement agency.

Safe medication storage

Approximately 2 million Americans misused prescription pain relievers for the first time during 2016, according to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Learn how to store medications safely in your home.

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