Safe and Responsible Drug Disposal in Wood Dale How to Use the City Hall Drop-Box
- Michael Herff
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Proper disposal of unused or expired medications protects your family, community, and the environment. Many people wonder where to safely discard these items, especially since not all local agencies accept drug drop-offs. In Wood Dale, the Fire District does not offer a drug disposal program or accept medications at its stations. Instead, the City of Wood Dale provides a convenient and secure option for residents to dispose of medications responsibly.
Where to Dispose of Medications in Wood Dale
The City of Wood Dale has installed a green drop-box in the lobby of City Hall. This box is available to all residents who want to safely discard household medications. It is important to use this official drop-box rather than disposing of medications in the trash or flushing them down the toilet, which can harm the environment.
What You Can Drop Off
The drop-box accepts a wide range of household medications, including:
Over-the-counter drugs
Prescription medications
Ointments and creams
Liquid medications
Asthma inhalers
Glass thermometers containing mercury
To ensure safe disposal, bring medications in their original containers. If you want to avoid spills, place pills or liquid medication bottles inside a zipper-top plastic bag before dropping them off.
Before dropping off, cross out or remove all personal information on the medication labels. This step helps protect your privacy and prevents misuse of your personal data.
Items Not Accepted
Certain items cannot be placed in the drop-box. These include:
Sharps or needles
Radioactive medicines
Other medical waste
Household chemical waste
If you have sharps or chemical waste, contact local hazardous waste programs or pharmacies for proper disposal options.
Why Use the City Hall Drop-Box?
Using the City Hall drop-box offers several benefits:
Safety: Prevents accidental poisoning or misuse of leftover medications.
Environmental protection: Stops harmful chemicals from entering water supplies or landfills.
Convenience: The drop-box is accessible during City Hall hours, making it easy to dispose of medications responsibly.
Tips for Using the Drop-Box
Check City Hall’s hours before visiting to ensure the drop-box is accessible.
Bring medications in sealed containers or bags to avoid spills.
Remove or black out personal information on labels to protect your privacy.
Do not bring items that are not accepted to avoid contamination or disposal issues.
