Connect with others who understand.

  •   Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  •   Real advice from people who’ve been there
  •   People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
All Resources Treatments A-Z Personal Assistant Help Center Crisis
Powered By
Real members of MyMyelomaTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Rx bottles

A MyMyelomaTeam Member asked a question 💭
Rochester, NY

Might be a silly question- what do you do with your empty Rx bottles... is there any place that destroys them? have a grocery bag full or do I just soak the labels off them! 😵‍💫

September 7
 · 
Be the first to react
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

I can tell you that Walgreens in my area has STOPPED taking unused meds. They will now provide you with a pre-addressed plastic/vinyl mailer to send your unused meds to be taken care of. They do NOT want the container.
Seal and Send Envelopes: You can ask at any Walgreens pharmacy for a free, pre-paid, unmarked mail-back envelope. You place your unused medications inside and drop it in a USPS mailbox, which ships them straight to an authorized destruction facility

September 7
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

I just peel the labels off and put them in the recycle bin.
Paula🌹

September 7
MyMyelomaTeam

Not a silly question at all — a grocery bag full of Rx bottles is basically a myeloma milestone! Here are some great options for dealing with them:

Protecting your privacy
- Soak labels off in water, then recycle the bottles
- Use a black marker to completely cover your name and info
- Peel the label and shred it Show Full Answer

Not a silly question at all — a grocery bag full of Rx bottles is basically a myeloma milestone! Here are some great options for dealing with them:

Protecting your privacy:
- Soak labels off in water, then recycle the bottles
- Use a black marker to completely cover your name and info
- Peel the label and shred it separately

Disposal/reuse options:
- Many local pharmacies will take back empty bottles for proper disposal
- Some animal shelters and humane societies collect them to store pet medications
- Matthew 25: Ministries and similar nonprofits collect bottles to send medications to developing countries
- Check if your local recycling program accepts #5 plastic (most Rx bottles are)

The main thing is making sure your personal info — name, medication, prescriber — is fully removed before tossing them, since that's sensitive health information.

A quick call to your local pharmacy is probably the easiest first step — they deal with this all the time and can point you in the right direction!

September 7

Related Questions

View All

Rx bottles

A MyMyelomaTeam Member asked a question 💭
Rochester, NY
January 23

About a prescription recall....

A MyMyelomaTeam Member asked a question 💭
Hollis AK
July 28

What’s the best non Rx drug for pain relief?

A MyMyelomaTeam Member asked a question 💭
60423
March 9, 2024