New options available for free, safe disposal of unwanted medicine


In Clark County, there are 12 drop-off sites residents can visit during business hours to dispose of unwanted medicine

VANCOUVER – Clark County Public Health is teaming up with the nonprofit Medication Education & Disposal Project (MED-Project) to provide free disposal of expired, unwanted or unused medicine safely and conveniently. 

The Washougal Police Department is one of 12 locations around Clark County where area residents can dispose of expired, unwanted or unused medicine. Photo by Mike Schultz
The Washougal Police Department is one of 12 locations around Clark County where area residents can dispose of expired, unwanted or unused medicine. Photo by Mike Schultz

MED-Project provides residents with convenient, year-round medicine drop-off locations, such as pharmacies, medical facilities and law enforcement offices. In addition to its existing operational programs in several Washington counties, MED-Project has activated more than 150 additional drop-off sites across the state and has plans to add more sites.

The sites accept controlled and non-controlled medications in any dosage form in their original container or a sealed bag. Sites do not accept herbal remedies, vitamins, supplements, mercury-containing thermometers, sharps, illicit drugs or pet pesticide products.

In Clark County, there are 12 drop-off sites residents can visit during business hours to dispose of unwanted medicine:

  • Battle Ground Police Department, 507 SW First St., Battle Ground
  • Hi-School Pharmacy, 1365 Lewis River Road, Woodland
  • Hi-School Pharmacy, 3200 NE 52nd St., Vancouver
  • Kaiser Permanente Cascade Park Pharmacy, 12607 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver
  • Kaiser Permanente Orchards Pharmacy, 7101 NE 137th Ave., Vancouver
  • Kaiser Permanente Salmon Creek Pharmacy, 14406 NE 20th Ave., Vancouver
  • QFC Pharmacy, 3505 SE 192nd Ave., Vancouver
  • Ridgefield Police Department, 116 N Main Ave., Ridgefield
  • Rite Aid Pharmacy, 2800 NE 162nd Ave., Vancouver
  • Rite Aid Pharmacy, 13511 SE Third Way, Vancouver
  • Washougal Police Department, 1320 A St., Washougal
  • Woodland Police Department, 200 E Scott Ave., Woodland

People who would prefer mailing back unwanted medicine for disposal can request free, pre-paid, pre-authorized packages by visiting med-project.org/washington or by calling (844) 633-7765.

“Proper disposal of unwanted medications protects the health and safety of our community and the environment,” said Janis Koch, Clark County Environmental Public Health director. “These new disposal sites make it more convenient for Clark County residents to safely dispose of medicine they no longer need.”

Unwanted medicines should not be put in garbage or recycling carts and should never be flushed.

Visit the MED-Project website or call (844) 633-7765 for drop-off site hours, medicines accepted for disposal, instructions for disposal and safe medicine storage information.

Information provided by Clark Co. WA Communications.