Prescription and nonprescription drugs that are not properly disposed of easily make their way into our water supply. Pills that are flushed down the toilet or liquid medicines that are dumped down the drain can kill helpful bacteria that live in septic tanks. These drugs also can pass through sewage treatment facilities without any chemical change, and show up in clean water supplies. If they are thrown out with the trash, drugs can make their way into the groundwater.
Many pharmacies in McLean County have joined the prescription drug disposal program as well as some police departments. These locations accept prescription and over the counter medicines including veterinarian medicines. Liquids, aerosols, gels, needles, and syringes are not accepted. See below for disposal methods.
Patients can bring their drugs to the locations during normal business hours, and are asked to black out their name, but leave the name of the drug visible. Medications are incinerated as part of the ecological and safe disposal protocol. The incinerated medications can create energy to power homes and businesses.
The following McLean County locations are accepting prescription drugs for proper disposal:
- Axline Pharmacy – 1210 Towanda Ave, Normal – 309-828-6767
- Chenoa Pharmacy – 209 S Green St, Chenoa – 815-945-4211
- Chenoa Police Department – 201 Green St, Chenoa – 815-945-7111
- Colfax Police Department – 307 N Harrison St, Colfax – 309-723-6242
- CVS Pharmacy – 1130 S Veterans Pkwy, Bloomington – 309-661-1839
- CVS Pharmacy – 1701 Ft Jesse Rd, Normal – 309-452-1370
- Heyworth Police Departments – 108 S Buchanan, Heyworth – 309-473-2811
- Hy-Vee Pharmacy – 1403 N Veterans Pkwy – 309-663-3050
- Illinois State University Pharmacy – Student Services Building – 201 N University St, Normal 309-438-8713
- Jewel Osco Pharmacy – 901 S Cottage Ave, Normal – 309-454-6080
- Lexington Police Department – 329 W Main St, Lexington – 309-365-3871
- Leroy Police Department – 110 S East St, Leroy – 309-962-3310
- McLean County Sherriff’s Department, 104 W Front St, Bloomington, 309-888-5030
- Meijer Pharmacy – 1900 E College Ave, Normal – 309-888-0810
- Normal Police Department -100 E. Phoenix Ave, Normal – 309-454-9535
- OSF St. Joseph Medical Center – Entrance A – 2200 E Washington St, Bloomington – 309-664-0505
- State Police Pontiac District #6 – 800 S Airport Rd, Pontiac – 815-844-1500
- Walgreens, 1525 N Veterans Parkway, Bloomington, 309-661-8613, 24 hours. Note: drug disposal at this Walgreens location only
- Walmart Pharmacy, 300 Greenbriar Dr, Normal 309-451-1200
- Walmart Pharmacy, 2225 W Market St, Bloomington, 309-828-8626
Liquids, aerosols, and gels should be combined with kitty litter or coffee grounds in a sealable container or zip lock bag and disposed of in the trash.
Needles and sharps can be disposed of with regular household garbage if proper precautions are taken. Needles and sharps should be placed in a medical sharps container purchased from a pharmacy or health care provider or a puncture proof container like a detergent bottle. Use heavy duty tape to secure the cap to the container and write “Do Not Recycle – Medical Sharps” before disposal. NEVER place the container in the recycle bin.