Frequently Asked Questions
How should I get my medicine ready to drop off in The Box?
Medicine should be left in their original container with the label. If the medicine is a prescription, use a marker to cross off your name. Leave all other information on the container.
What kinds of medicine can go into The Box?
Any prescription and over-the-counter medicine for both human and animals can be placed in The Box.
What about syringes, needles or "sharps"?
NO! These items should NOT go in The Box.
Waseca County Solid Waste Department suggests placing syringes, ect., in an empty hard liquid laundry detergent bottle. When half full, securely tape the lid onto the bottle. Label the bottle clearly with "Sharps" or "Syringes." Place the bottle in your regular trash container- not with your recycling. Contact: Waseca County Solid Waste (507) 835-0664
Household chemicals like glues, paints and other inhalants can be used to get high. Can these chemicals go in The Box?
NO. You are encouraged to store these kinds of chemicals in a safe, out-of-reach location. Unneeded household chemicals can be taken to the Waseca County Solid Waste Department. Contact: Waseca County Solid Waste (507) 835-0664
Can "inhalers" be put in The Box?
Yes. Inhalers used with various medicines can be dropped in The Box for disposal.
Can illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia, such as pipes and other objects, be put in The Box?
Yes. For privacy, items can be put in a paper bag or other container before dropping them into the disposal box. The opening of The Box is about 3 inches by 10 inches and is designed so that once something is dropped in, it can only be taken out by a designated police officer.
What do I do with medicine that has expired?
Expired medicines for people or animals are accepted in The Box. Just follow the directions from above.
I know someone who has a large amount of unneeded medication but is unable to bring it in for disposal. Can I drop off someone else's unneeded medication?
Yes, If needed, friends or family members may bring medication to The Box for someone else.
Can unused medicine be donated for others to use?
No. In Minnesota at this time there is no legal or safe way to donate unopened and/or unneeded medication. Health Finders (507) 330-4031 is a local organization that will accept some unneeded health-related equipment and supplies, but not medication. Call for information.
What happens to the medicine dropped into The Box?
The Box is emptied regularly. Contents are stored in a secured location. Periodically, a police officer and a chemist from a qualified disposal company will sort the medication. Medicines will then be taken to a licensed site to be incinerated at extremely high temperatures.
Who pays for the medication disposal?
Take It To The Box is a very cost effective program. Funding has come from the Waseca County Sheriff's Office. There is no charge to individuals when medications are dropped off at Take It To The Box locations.
How should I get my medicine ready to drop off in The Box?
Medicine should be left in their original container with the label. If the medicine is a prescription, use a marker to cross off your name. Leave all other information on the container.
What kinds of medicine can go into The Box?
Any prescription and over-the-counter medicine for both human and animals can be placed in The Box.
What about syringes, needles or "sharps"?
NO! These items should NOT go in The Box.
Waseca County Solid Waste Department suggests placing syringes, ect., in an empty hard liquid laundry detergent bottle. When half full, securely tape the lid onto the bottle. Label the bottle clearly with "Sharps" or "Syringes." Place the bottle in your regular trash container- not with your recycling. Contact: Waseca County Solid Waste (507) 835-0664
Household chemicals like glues, paints and other inhalants can be used to get high. Can these chemicals go in The Box?
NO. You are encouraged to store these kinds of chemicals in a safe, out-of-reach location. Unneeded household chemicals can be taken to the Waseca County Solid Waste Department. Contact: Waseca County Solid Waste (507) 835-0664
Can "inhalers" be put in The Box?
Yes. Inhalers used with various medicines can be dropped in The Box for disposal.
Can illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia, such as pipes and other objects, be put in The Box?
Yes. For privacy, items can be put in a paper bag or other container before dropping them into the disposal box. The opening of The Box is about 3 inches by 10 inches and is designed so that once something is dropped in, it can only be taken out by a designated police officer.
What do I do with medicine that has expired?
Expired medicines for people or animals are accepted in The Box. Just follow the directions from above.
I know someone who has a large amount of unneeded medication but is unable to bring it in for disposal. Can I drop off someone else's unneeded medication?
Yes, If needed, friends or family members may bring medication to The Box for someone else.
Can unused medicine be donated for others to use?
No. In Minnesota at this time there is no legal or safe way to donate unopened and/or unneeded medication. Health Finders (507) 330-4031 is a local organization that will accept some unneeded health-related equipment and supplies, but not medication. Call for information.
What happens to the medicine dropped into The Box?
The Box is emptied regularly. Contents are stored in a secured location. Periodically, a police officer and a chemist from a qualified disposal company will sort the medication. Medicines will then be taken to a licensed site to be incinerated at extremely high temperatures.
Who pays for the medication disposal?
Take It To The Box is a very cost effective program. Funding has come from the Waseca County Sheriff's Office. There is no charge to individuals when medications are dropped off at Take It To The Box locations.
WHAT is take
it to the Box?
The Take It To The Box program promotes the safe use, safe storage and safe disposal of unneeded prescription and over-the-counter medications. This includes both human and animal medications along with illegal drugs. The Waseca County community is serious about preventing medication misuse/abuse and about environmentally safe disposal of unneeded medications.
WHY is it important?
* Another growing concern is the abuse, by youth and others, of medications not prescribed to them. Safe disposal makes medicines less available.
* Evidence is increasing of the damage to the environment due to unsafe disposal of medications. Proper disposal helps protect our soil and water.
WHEN is it available?
Beginning February 17th, 2011, the Take It To The Box medication disposal box will be available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
WHERE is the disposal box?
* Waseca County Sheriff's Office
First Floor Lobby
122 3rd Ave NW, Waseca, MN
WHAT do I do?
* Leave medication in the original container
* Remove your name and other identifying information
* Leave the name of the medication
* Drop medication into the disposal box opening
The Take It To The Box program promotes the safe use, safe storage and safe disposal of unneeded prescription and over-the-counter medications. This includes both human and animal medications along with illegal drugs. The Waseca County community is serious about preventing medication misuse/abuse and about environmentally safe disposal of unneeded medications.
WHY is it important?
* Another growing concern is the abuse, by youth and others, of medications not prescribed to them. Safe disposal makes medicines less available.
* Evidence is increasing of the damage to the environment due to unsafe disposal of medications. Proper disposal helps protect our soil and water.
WHEN is it available?
Beginning February 17th, 2011, the Take It To The Box medication disposal box will be available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
WHERE is the disposal box?
* Waseca County Sheriff's Office
First Floor Lobby
122 3rd Ave NW, Waseca, MN
WHAT do I do?
* Leave medication in the original container
* Remove your name and other identifying information
* Leave the name of the medication
* Drop medication into the disposal box opening
For More Information:
(507) 835-0685
(507) 835-0685
