Medical Waste

What to do with Sharps?

The Solid Waste Department organizes a collection event for sharps twice per year. 

We also offer a 3-gallon sharps container, including shipping and disposal, all for just $25.

(See Supporting Documents below for more information.)

Got Old Meds?

Safe disposal ensures clean waters and safe homes in Tillamook County!

Waste medication, including expired and unused over-the-counter drugs and prescription pharmaceuticals, are acceptable. Liquids must be in sealed containers.

Thermometers, sharps, syringes, IV bags, hydrogen peroxide, aerosol cans, inhalers, EpiPens and iodine will not be accepted.

Participating locations and their hours are as follows:

• Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office – 5995 Long Prairie Road, Tillamook (Seven days a week, 8 am to 5 pm)
• Nehalem Bay Health Center & Pharmacy (previously known as Rinehart Clinic & Pharmacy) - 230 Rowe St., Wheeler (Monday-Friday, 8 am to 6 pm)
• Tillamook Pharmacy - 915 Main Ave., Tillamook (Monday-Friday 9 am - 6 pm, Saturday 9 am - 5 pm)
• Safeway Pharmacy - 1815 4th St., Tillamook
• Other Police Departments will on occasion accept materials. Please contact your local department for opportunities.

WHY ARE PHARMACEUTICALS A PROBLEM?

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE IS INCREASING

Unused and expired prescription and over-the-counter medications pose a significant threat to human health, public safety and the environment. Safe disposal ensures clean waters and safe homes in Tillamook County.

ACCIDENTAL POISONINGS HAVE BECOME A LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH

Unsecure storage of medications in the home can lead to overdoses, accidental poisonings, and illegal use of prescription medications. It is important to take medications as prescribed and safely dispose of what goes unused or becomes expired.

PHARMACEUTICALS ACCUMULATE OVER TIME IN DRINKING WATER AND WILDLIFE HABITAT

Prescription and over-the-counter medications are a common feature in American society. Local agencies are working together to provide free and safe disposal opportunities to help minimize public safety and health concerns.

Prescription and over-the-counter medications that are put in drains or flushed down the toilet pollute the environment, posing hazards to human health, polluting drinking water, and jeopardizing aquatic creatures. It is critical that we protect our water quality and wildlife habitat by minimizing the input of these chemicals into our delicate water systems.

FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES LAW ENFORCEMENT BE PRESENT

Federal law mandates that once a prescription has been filled, only the person to whom it was prescribed may legally be in possession of it, prohibiting anyone else from having possession. The only exception is that controlled substances may pass into the custody of law enforcement officials.

Therefore, in order to legally collect unwanted controlled substances it is an absolute necessity that law enforcement officials be on-site, participate in the collection, take physical control of all controlled substances, and be responsible for their destruction as required by state and federal law.