Protecting Tomorrow

Every day is take back day in Nebraska, and we make it easy. Simply bring your expired or unused prescription or over-the-counter medication to a participating pharmacy for safe disposal. 

Search your home for expired and unused medication

Locate a safe disposal location in your area

Take them to a participating medication disposal pharmacy

Disposal Locations

What Do You Do with Leftover Meds?

Leftover medication poses a major risk to our communities. If not disposed of properly, it can seriously harm not only our children and families, but also our environment. Leftover medication often ends up in our beloved waterways or in the wrong hands, leading to accidental poisoning and overdoses. 

Take Action

Every Day Is Take-Back Day in Nebraska

We work with around 300 pharmacies across Nebraska where anyone can properly dispose of their unused or expired medication. There’s no catch—it’s 100% free for both pharmacies and consumers to participate. Nebraska is one of the first states to start a program like this, and we’re proud to raise awareness about this critical resource. 

238890 Pounds Collected

(2016 - February 2024)

How You Can Take Action

Before You Go to the Pharmacy

Go through your home and gather expired or unused prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. There’s no need to separate them from their container—disposal is 100% confidential. 

Accepted Items

Pet medications 

Prescription medications 

Pills, tablets, and capsules 

Over-the-counter medications 

Creams, lotions, and ointments 

Liquid medications less than 4 ounces 

Unaccepted Items

Thermometers

Needles, syringes, and lancets

Rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide

Liquid medications greater than 4 ounces

Medical equipment and home-based care supplies 

What To Expect at the Pharmacy

The pharmacy staff will separate the medications by controlled and non-controlled. They will place the non-controlled and over-the-counter medications in their proper drug disposal container. The pharmacy staff will provide you with a prepaid postage envelope for the controlled medications. Place them in the envelope, seal the envelope, and then drop it off in the nearest U.S. mailbox. Take this time to talk to the pharmacy staff and ask questions about your medications. If you did not finish one of your prescriptions due to a drug interaction or side effect, ask them to update your pharmacy record accordingly. 

Did You Know?

Improperly disposing of your unused or expired medications can harm the environment. When flushed, put down the drain, or thrown in the trash, over-the-counter and prescription medications can contaminate landfills and water supplies. Sadly, most water treatment facilities don’t have the capacity to remove these emerging contaminants.

Learn More
Share by: