Medication Disposal Calgary
Medication disposal in Calgary, at your pharmacy
For medication disposal in Calgary, bring it to us. Old prescriptions, expired bottles, the half-finished course from two winters ago — hand it over the counter at any Revive store and we take it from there. It does not belong in the bin and it definitely does not belong down the toilet.
We also take syringes, pen needles and lancets. If you are unsure whether we can take something, call first and describe it — we would rather tell you on the phone than have you carry it in.
- Appointment
- None needed
- Hand it over the counter any time we are open
- We take
- Medicine and sharps
- Tablets, liquids, creams, inhalers, needles
- Where
- All three stores
- 20 Ave NW, Royal Vista NW, Lynnwood SE
- Do not
- Flush it or bin it
- Both routes cause problems
What we take
Unused and expired prescription and over-the-counter medication — tablets, capsules, liquids, creams and inhalers — along with syringes, pen needles and lancets. Keep everything secure on the way in so nothing leaks, punctures or gets into hands it should not.
If an item is unusual, damaged or you simply are not sure, call the store and describe it. We will tell you how to bring it, or where it needs to go if it is not something we can accept.
How to clear out your medicine cabinet
Go through the obvious places and the ones you forget — the bathroom cabinet, the kitchen drawer, a handbag, the fridge. Anything finished, anything expired, anything a prescriber told you to stop: that is the pile. Keep it in a bag or box while you sort.
Do not take something past its expiry date because it seems a shame to waste it, unless a healthcare professional has specifically told you it is fine. Bring it in and we will replace the ones you still need.
Sharps disposal at a Calgary pharmacy
Loose needles in a bin injure whoever empties it. Put syringes, pen needles and lancets into a proper puncture-resistant sharps container as you use them, and never reach into one or try to recap a needle if that risks a jab.
Ring the store before you bring a container in and we will tell you how to hand it over safely. If you do not have a sharps container, ask us about one.
Why you should not flush old medicine
Flushing medication sends drug ingredients into the water system, where treatment plants were never designed to remove them. Household rubbish is not much better — it leaves medicine within reach of children, animals and the people who handle waste.
If a label gives specific disposal directions, follow those. Otherwise the pharmacy counter is the simple answer.
Ending up with less to throw away
Keep medicines in their original labelled containers and store them the way the label says. Check dates now and then, and when a prescriber stops something, ask us whether to return the rest rather than keeping it in case.
Order refills when you need them rather than stockpiling, and tell us when a medicine is no longer active so your record stays accurate. A clean list is how you notice the duplicates.
Before you come in
Secure everything for the journey and keep it away from children and pets. Do not tip liquids together or decant anything into another container.
Check the locations page for the nearest store's address and hours. For a large amount, a damaged container or something not on the list above, call first — better a two-minute phone call than an awkward handover at the counter.
Questions people ask
What medication can I return?
Unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medication, including liquids, creams and inhalers. Call first if a product or its container is unusual or damaged.
Do you take needles and lancets?
Yes — syringes, pen needles and lancets. Bring them in a proper puncture-resistant sharps container.
Can I flush old medication?
No, unless the label specifically tells you to. Bringing it here keeps it out of the water system and out of household rubbish.
Should I take the medicine out of its packaging?
No. Leave it in its container, keep it upright and sealed, and do not tip anything together. Ask us if you are unsure about a particular item.
Do I need to book?
No. Bring it to the counter at any of our three stores during opening hours and say it is for take-back.
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