PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE
How to Manage Unused
Prescription Medications
Unused prescription and over-the-counter medications can be safely processed at the York County Resource Recovery Center (RRC). The RRC is a waste-to-energy facility that burns waste in enclosed, environmentally controlled combustion units. Processing medication in a waste-to-energy facility reduces it to an inert ash and helps produce green power. Medications can be managed in two ways:
Place in your regular garbage. To minimize potential impacts to human health and the environment, take medication out of its original container and mix it with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter. The medication will be less appealing to children and pets, and unrecognizable to people who may intentionally go through your trash. Put it in a sealable bag, empty can, or other container to prevent the medication from leaking or breaking out of a garbage bag. Before disposing of a medicine container, scratch out all identifying information to make it unreadable. This will help to protect your identity and the privacy of your personal health information.
Make an appointment to deliver your unused prescription medications to the RRC for FREE. York County residents (single household) may opt to deliver their unused prescription medications directly to the RRC if they do not wish to place them out with the regular garbage. There is NO FEE to dispose of unused prescription medications. Only prescription (no over-the-counter) medications are accepted in this program. Residents must call 717-845-1066 to make an appointment to deliver prescription medications to the RRC. Residents should call in advance (please allow one to two week’s notice) to schedule their desired disposal date. The disposal process will take approximately 20 minutes. Residents are required to complete a brief registration form and will be escorted into the RRC by an Authority representative to dispose of the medications. Medications must come from a single household. Medications collected from multiple households cannot be accepted.
Other Tips:
- Check our web site calendar under "Upcoming Events" for medication collection programs that may be scheduled in your area.
- The FDA recommends flushing certain unused medications due to safety risks. To learn more, visit: www.fda.gov/consumer
- Do not give your medication to anyone else or take a prescription that was not prescribed for you.
- Place sharps (needles, syringes with needles) in a plastic container such as a detergent bottle. Cap or seal the bottle and label it "sharps" and place in the regular garbage NOT IN YOUR RECYCLE BIN.
For more information contact the York County Solid Waste Authority: 717-845-1066
 Cost of Disposal & Hours of Operation
York County Resource Recovery Center
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