Medicine & Needle (Sharps) Disposal

Free Medicine Disposal Bin
Pharmaceutical Mail-In Program
Why dispose properly of meds?
Other Pharmaceutical Disposal Programs
Needle & Sharps Disposal
Needle Collection Facilities

Free Medicine Disposal Bin

City of Thousand Oaks’ residents can now safely and confidentially dispose of expired or unwanted pharmaceuticals. A Medicine Collection Drop-Box is located at the City of Thousand Oaks’ Police Department and is available during normal business hours. City of Thousand Oaks residents only (no business waste accepted).

Old & Unused Medicine Disposal Bin
East Valley Police Station Lobby
2102 E. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks, 91360 (map)
Hours: Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

How to Use the Bin

Remove personal information.
Leave medicine in the container.
Seal liquid medicines in a plastic bag.

Do not bring
Needles (Sharps)
Controlled Substances
Medical Waste
IV Bags
Pharmaceutical Mail-In Program

For elderly or disabled individuals unable to use the drop-off container at the Police Station, the City will provide mail-in envelopes that are pre-addressed to a company licensed to accept and dispose of these materials safely.

To request a free mail-in envelope, please call (805) 449-SAVE (7283) or click here to e-mail your request. Please include your name, mailing address and phone number.

Why dispose properly of your medications?

1. Environmental Concerns - Old or unwanted drugs that are disposed of by flushing or pouring down a sink enter the environment because wastewater treatment facilities are not designed to remove them. Studies from the U.S. Geological Survey indicates that 80% of the Nation’s waterways contain trace amounts of pharmaceutical waste. While scientists are just now studying the potential effects on humans, there have been demonstrated negative effects on certain wildlife, such as fish.

2. Drug Abuse Concerns - Storing unused or outdated prescriptions creates an opportunity for illegal use. Estimates from law enforcement personnel state that approximately 40% of the drugs abused by kids come from the home of a friend or relative and a report from the Office of National Drug Control Policy states that every day, 2,500 youth (12-17) abuse a prescription pain reliever for the very first time. Nearly half say they get the medications from friends and relatives for free, often by raiding the medicine cabinet or by attending "pharming parties" where teens barter legal drugs and get high.

Other Pharmaceutical Disposal Programs

Agoura Hills prescription medication disposal: Collection bin located at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station - click here for information.

Camarillo prescription medication disposal: Collection bin located at the Camarillo Police Department – click here for map.

Fillmore prescription medication disposal: Collection bin located at Fillmore Police Department - click here for map.

Ojai prescription medication disposal: Collection bin located at Ojai Sheriff’s Substation – click here for more information.

Santa Barbara County Operation Medicine Cabinet household medication collection – click here for information and locations.

Needle (Sharps) Disposal

How to Dispose of your Sharps

Pick up your free "biohazard" container at the City of Thousand Oaks Public Works Department (2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, First Floor). Take it home and when it is three-quarters full, take it to one of the needle collection facilities listed below for proper disposal. For additional details, please call the Ventura County Environmental Health Division at (805) 654-2813.

Improper disposal of used "sharps" (needles, syringes, and lancets) can injure children, home health care providers, sanitation workers, and pets.

Bring your used sharps to the locations listed below for proper and convenient disposal. Free "Biohazard" rigid plastic sharps containers are available at the collection facilities for you to use at home.

For safety reasons, sharps will NOT be accepted in:
Liquid detergent bottles
Bleach bottles
Coffee cans
Glass containers
Milk jugs
Soda bottles

Sharps Disposal Guidelines

Sharps should be placed into a container immediately after use.
Do not attempt to remove, bend, break, or recap the needle.
Keep all sharps and disposal containers out of the reach of children.
Please do not place in curbside trash or recycling carts.

Needle Collection Facilities

Thousand
Oaks
Conejo Family Medical Group
223 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard
370-0600
Ventura Ventura Public Health
3147 Loma Vista Road
652-5928
Los Robles Hospital
Outpatient Lab
215 West Janss Road
370-4441
West Ventura Family Care Clinic
133 West Santa Clara Street
641-5600
Simi Valley Sierra Vista Medical Center
4531 Alamo Street
584-4885
Oak View Oak View Family Practice
655 N. Ventura Avenue
649-3750
Simi Valley Public Health
660 E. Los Angeles Avenue, No. B2
578-3675
Ojai Ojai Valley Hospital
1306 Maricopa Highway
646-1404
Moorpark Moorpark Family Care Clinic
35 West Los Angeles Avenue
529-4624
Fillmore Fillmore Medical Plaza
852 Ventura Street
524-2672
Camarillo St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital
2309 Antonio Avenue
389-5931
Santa Paula Santa Paula Clinic
1334 E. Main Street
933-8445
Oxnard Las Islas Clinic
325 W. Channel Island Boulevard
385-8662
Santa Paula Public Health
620 West Harvard
933-5505
Magnolia Family Health Center
120 Magnolia Avenue
385-4100
Piru Piru Clinic
4061 E. Center Street
521-0960
Oxnard Public Health
2500 "C" Street, Suite D
385-9147
St. John's Regional Medical Center
1600 North Rose Avenue
988-2865