Medication Disposal

Proper medication disposal is important as it reduces the chance of misuse of addictive medication, such as opioids. By eliminating unwanted medication from your home, you are helping to keep your family and our community safe.

Some prevention tips:

• Put medications away by placing them in a locked drawer or cabinet.
• Keep count of the pills in each bottle.
• If you are no longer using medication pills, have expired medications, or unwanted medications, you can bring these medication pills to the Chelsea Police Department’s drop-box (Kiosk) located in the lobby of the police station.
  • Place the medication pills in a sealed plastic “sandwich size” bag.
  • Remove or scratch out the information label on the prescription bottle and put the prescription bottle in the recycle bin in your home to be recycled.
• Dispose of liquid medication by mixing the liquid medication with any absorbent, unappealing material (such as kitty litter or coffee grounds) and place in a sealed plastic bag and place in regular trash.

Sharps Disposal

Proper disposal of sharps, including needles, lancets and syringes will help protect the environment we live in. Used needles and syringes can cause injury and spread infections, such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. It is illegal to dispose of needles, lancets, and syringes in the regular trash, or flush them down the toilet.

Some safety tips:

• Avoid touching or handling needles or syringes found in public places.
• Remind children not to touch needles or syringes in parks or playgrounds.
• If you happen to see a needle or syringe in public places in Chelsea, call the City of Chelsea’s Inspectional Services Department at 617-466-4131.
• If another person’s needle or syringe sticks you accidently, wash the area right away with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. Seek immediate medical attention by calling your provider or go to a local hospital emergency department.

Chelsea residents can dispose their needles and syringes in a “sharps container” or a sturdy container that is puncture-proof (such as, a laundry detergent bottle or bleach bottle). The City of Chelsea’s Health Department will accept these “sharps containers” for Chelsea residents only.

• Household disposal only.
• No commercial disposal.