PHARMACEUTICAL & SHARPS DROP OFF

West Contra Costa residents can drop-off unwanted or old medicine, pharmaceuticals, and sharps for free at the locations listed below.

Due to COVID-19, it is recommended that you call ahead to ensure the location is open during the listed times and is still accepting drop-offs.

For more information, visit www.recyclemore.com.

PHARMACEUTICAL DROP OFF

As pharmaceutical use continues to grow, more unwanted drugs are improperly disposed. Pharmaceuticals are commonly detected in water and soil by scientists worldwide, posing a risk to our ecosystem and the safety of our waters. Researchers suspect that hormones and pharmaceutical compounds in the water may be responsible for effects on wildlife including feminization of male fish, sluggish activity or reduced appetite. Short- and long-term human health effects are unknown. Once they enter the wastewater treatment system, most conventional wastewater treatment cannot effectively eliminate pharmaceutical compounds.

DON’T FLUSH UNUSED MEDICINES!

Dispose of your pharmaceuticals properly by bringing them to one of the free drop off locations listed below.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

1. Keep medicine/pharmaceuticals in original container.

2. Leave the drug name intact. Black out personal information, including names, prescription numbers and doctor’s name.

3. Call ahead to ensure the location is open and accepting pharmaceuticals.

LOCATIONS

Hercules City Hall: 111 Civic Drive, Hercules; 24-hour drop-off bins are located outside of main entrance; (510) 799-8200

Pinole Police Station: 880 Tennent Avenue, Pinole; Lobby hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon-Fri; (510) 724-8950

El Cerrito Recycling + Environmental Resource Center: 7501 Schmidt Lane, El Cerrito; 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m., Sat–Sun; 510-215-4350

Richmond Fire Department Station #63: 5201 Valley View Road, El Sobrante; 24-hour drop-off bin is located outside of main entrance; (510) 307-8031

Richmond Police Station: 1701 Regatta Boulevard., Richmond; 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Mon-Sun; (415) 666-8000

West County HHW Collection Facility: 101 Pittsburg Avenue, Richmond; Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., closed 12-12:30 p.m.; 510-262-7100

CVS/Pharmacy: 1401 Tara Hill Drive, Pinole; (510) 724-8880

KAISER Pharmacy: 1301 Pinole Valley Road, Pinole; 1st floor; (510) 243-4311

KAISER Richmond Hospital Main Pharmacy: 901 Nevin Avenue, Richmond; (510) 307-3160

CVS/Pharmacy: 2151 Meeker Avenue, Richmond; (510) 231-5922

CVS/Pharmacy: 10650 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito; (510) 527-3210

CVS/Pharmacy: 670 El Cerrito Plaza, El Cerrito; (510) 524-5895

SHARPS DROP OFF

Millions of Americans use needles or other sharps to manage medical conditions at home, including for their pets. Sharps includes needles, syringes, lancets and other devices used to inject medications.

Sharps should never be flushed down the toilet or placed in trash or recycling bins. Doing so puts garbage and sewage employees, janitors, household members and children at risk of being harmed.

You can safely drop off your sharps at many locations throughout West Contra Costa County. Click here to view a drop off location list. Call ahead to ensure the location is open and accepting sharps. WCW’s offices are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.