Safely Dispose of Unwanted Sharps and Medicines

Check your medicine cabinet and safely dispose of your expired or unwanted medicines and sharps (needles and syringes) you no longer need. Proper disposal is easy and free by simply visiting a certified pharmacy near you. Free take-back programs will be available at all retail pharmacies in the City of Watsonville required by the Safe Disposal of Drugs and Sharps Ordinance, passed in March 2017. Pharmacies will either offer convenient, on-site kiosks where residents can drop-off expired or unwanted medications without waiting in line or use a mail-back envelope for remote disposal.

Leftover medications or sharps can be a health and safety hazard for everyone, including pets and children. Never flush medicines or sharps down the toilet or throw them in the garbage or recycling. Required take-back programs offer preventative ways to ensure unwanted medicines and sharps are not left in public spaces, end up in our landfill, or contaminate our drinking water. 

Please note that the City's Garbage and Recycling Center at 3320 Harvest Drive WILL NO LONGER be taking unwanted sharps or medicines, as the required take-back program now offers several and convenient drop-off location for residents.

Program is paid for by pharmaceutical manufacturers, and there is no cost to pharmacies or local taxpayers. To find a location to return unwanted medicines and/or sharps in the City of Watsonville, please visit their webiste at:

Med Project - Medication Education & Disposal

Thank you for doing your part.