Mail-Back Program Instructions

Who Can Participate?

The program is available to residents of Sonoma and Mendocino Counties in California. (No businesses, clinics or institutional entities)

How To Get Mail-Back Envelopes

There are two ways to get free postage paid mail-back envelopes for medicine disposal. Envelope includes instructions.

  1. Pick up free envelopes at a participating location (scroll down for locations)

  2. Request free envelopes to be sent to your home from Safemedicinedrop.com Mail Back Request Form or Med-Project Mail Back Services

How To Use The Mail-Back Envelopes

  1. Fill the envelope with up to 8oz of accepted pharmaceutical waste.

  2. Seal the envelope.

  3. Take the sealed envelope to any United States Postal Service office or U.S. Postal Service drop-box. Mailing is pre-paid and no cost to you. The envelopes are tracked and safely disposed of at a Drug Enforcement Agency registered facility.

Items NOT accepted in the Mail-Back Envelopes

  • NO Needles/Sharps/Epipens

  • NO Schedule I Controlled Substances (examples: LSD, heroin, cannabis)

  • NO Cannabis (medical or recreational)

  • NO Illegal drugs

  • IV Bags

  • Bloody or Infectious Wastes

  • NO personal care products

  • NO Inhalers or Aerosol Cans

  • Thermometers

Items Accepted in the Mail-Back Envelopes

  • Controlled Substances (Schedule II –V)

  • Prescription Medications

  • Medications for Pets

  • Medication Samples

  • Over-the-Counter Medications

  • Liquids/Lotions (No more than four (4) ounces per envelope)

Preparing Your Medication For Disposal

How to Prepare Your Medications For Disposal Using the Mail-Back Envelopes

Do NOT overfill

Each envelope should contain no more than eight (8) ounces in total. Of the 8 ounces no more than 4 oz. of liquid (sealed separately) may be placed in each envelope.

Tablets, Pills & Capsules

Tablets, pills and other solid medications can be placed directly into the envelope or left in their original containers. If left in the original container, black out personal information as an extra precaution.

Medication Patches & Sample Packets

Blister packs containing pills or capsules can be placed directly into the Mail-Back envelope. Black out personal information as an extra precaution.

Medicine patches may be placed directly into Mail-Back envelope. Black out personal information as an extra precaution.

Liquids, Ointments, Creams, Lotions

  • Liquids must be wrapped in a paper towel or other absorbent material and placed in a sealed plastic bag before being placed inside the envelope. No more than four (4) ounces of liquids can be included in each envelope.

  • Carefully seal the envelope by using the Orange “Keep Safe” tape on the envelope.

  • Take the sealed envelope to a United States Post office or United States Postal Service drop box, or simply hand it to your U.S. postal carrier.

  • Do NOT take the filled envelope to your pharmacy, police station, hospital or distributing location

Mail-Back Program Envelope Pick-Up Locations

  1. MED-Project offers a searchable map of their drop box and free mail-back envelope pick up locations, including some health centers and both locally-owned and major chain pharmacies. Free mail-back services are also available.

  2. The Drug Takeback Solutions Foundation also provides a map of authorized collection sites and free mail-back services. Click on the location name to view a map of that location. All locations provide mail-back envelopes free of charge.

Related Resources:

MendoRecycle

The Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority accepts unused medicine through their Household Hazardous Waste program in Mendocino and Lake Counties.

Zero Waste Sonoma

Zero Waste Sonoma accepts unused medicine at their household hazardous waste (HHW) facility and through HHW collection events.

Other Envelope Pick-Up Locations:

Occidental

Santa Rosa

Sonoma

Prefer to drop off your unused medication instead of mailing? View Drop-Off Locations