Needle & Medication Disposal

Needle Disposal

A statewide ban on the disposal of needles, syringes and lancets (collectively known as "sharps") went into effect July 1, 2012. The law stipulates that disposal of sharps will not be allowed in regular household trash in Massachusetts. 

Wellesley residents cannot dispose of their sharps in the trash at the RDF, or in their household trash collected by a private trash hauler.

No Needles Clip Art

Storing Sharps Until Disposal

Place sharps into an approved (usually red) sharps container, or other sturdy, puncture and leak-proof container (i.e. small coffee can or rigid plastic container). No loose sharps. If possible, fill the container before bringing it to the kiosk or other approved location.

Residents may bring sharps to a kiosk located at the Wellesley Fire Department at 457 Worcester Street daily from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Residents only, no medical offices, pharmacies, or medical waste companies are allowed.

Medication Disposal

Unused or expired medications can be be disposed of at CVS (188 Linden Street). Medication may also be disposed of at other participating CVS locations.  

Accepted items:

  • Prescription medications (original pkg. if possible)
  • Over-the-counter medications (original pkg. if possible)
  • Liquid medication bottles (less than 4 oz. in a ziplock bag)

NOT accepted items:

  • Illegal drugs
  • Needles, syringes, sharps
  • Medical devices, batteries
  • Aerosol cans, Inhalers
  • Chemicals
  • Mercury-containing devices

The Wellesley Police Department is now only accepting unused or expired medication on specific take back days in the spring and fall.

No Medication

Take-Back Days

There are Medication and Needle Take-Back Days hosted by the Wellesley Police Department each year in the Spring and Fall. There is also a Household Hazardous Products Collection Day hosted yearly by the Recycling and Disposal Facility.