Calgary disposal answer
Medication: special drop-off
Special handling
Return expired or unused medicine, including inhalers, to a participating pharmacy. Call first to confirm; City hazardous waste depots do not take drugs.
How to prepare it
- Phone your pharmacy ahead of time, or check the Alberta Pharmacists' Association list of participating pharmacies.
- Never put pills, syrups or other medicine in the garbage, the green cart, a sink or a toilet.
- Once a pill or medicine bottle is empty and clean, recycle it in the blue cart; the cap can stay on.
- Take cotton balls and gel packets out of bottles and put them in the black cart.
Good to know
The City's household hazardous waste program lists old drugs and medication as not accepted, so fire-station depots and Eco Centres are not an option. The pharmacy route covers prescription and over-the-counter pills, cough syrup, vitamins, puffer canisters, dry-powder inhalers and nebulizers. Needles and lancets are handled separately, through pharmacies or a sealed container in the black cart.
Similar items
Where to drop it off
City Eco Centres at the Spyhill, Shepard and East Calgary landfills accept many items for free. Check today’s hours before you go.