Medications and Sharps
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Medications
Keep medications in a secure location away from kids and pets. Never dispose of medication down the sink or toilet as it can poison the water supply and harm the environment.
Free medication mail-back and drop-off programs!
Remove or cross out any personal identifying information.
Accepted items:
- Expired, used or unwanted medications in any dosage form, in original container or sealed plastic bag.
- Wrap all liquids in a paper towel or other absorbent material and place in sealed plastic bag before placing inside envelope or drop-off containers.
Unaccepted items:
- Radioactive pharmaceuticals, iodine-containing medications, herbal remedies, vitamins, cosmetics, ointments, lotions, batteries, mercury-containing thermometers, sharps, epi-pens, aerosol cans, inhalers, animal medicine and illicit drugs.
Drop off medications in their original container or sealed plastic bag into the MedReturn containers at the following locations:
- Clatskanie - Hi-School Pharmacy - 400 Columbia River Hwy. Phone number: 503-728-2102
- Columbia City - City Hall - 1820 2nd St. Phone number: 503-397-0062
- Mist-Birkenfeld Rural Fire Protection District - 12525 Hwy 202. Phone number: 403-755-2710
- Rainier - Rainier Polic Department - 106 W B St. Phone number: 503-556-3644
- Scappoose - Hi-School Pharmacy - 33454 SW Chinook Plaza. Phone number: 503-543-6316
- Vernonia - Vernonia Police Department - 1001 Bridge St. Phone number: 503-429-7335
- St. Helens - Safeway Pharmacy - 795 S Columbia River Hwy. Phone number: 503-397-0062
- St. Helens - Genoa Healthcare - 58646 McNulty Way #116. Phone number: 503-438-4543
Or the mail-back option. Request a pre-paid, pre-addressed envelope at the Columbia County Transfer Station or order the envelopes online at the medtakebackoregon.org. Put up to 8 ounces of medications in their original container or without a container into the envelope. Then, seal the envelope and drop off at the U.S. Post Office drop boxes or hand it to a U.S. postal carrier. Do NOT take it to the pharmacy.
Flyer: Columbia County Medication and Sharps Disposal Flyer
Sharps
"Sharps” is a medical term for devices with sharp points or edges that can puncture or cut skin such as hypodermic needles, fingersticks, and "pen" injectors.
It is illegal in Oregon to throw sharps in trash or recycling bins. They can expose garbage workers and the public to possible injury or disease.
Follow these steps to join the Columbia County Free Sharps Exchange Program:
1. Enroll at any of these locations (identified below).
2. Bring your full sharps container to one of the participating locations.
3. Receive a new empty container at no cost.
4. And, keep participating in the program as long as you need. Thank you for keeping our community safe!
Sharps exchange program locations:
- Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District - 280 SE Third Street, Clatskanie. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Columbia River Fire & Rescue – Rainier Station - 211 West 2nd Street, Rainier. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Columbia County Transfer Station - 1601 Railroad Ave; St. Helens. Hours: Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Mist-Birkenfeld Rural Fire Protection District - 12525 Highway 202, Mist. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Scappoose Rural Fire District - 52751 Columbia River Highway, Scappoose. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District - 555 East Bridge Street, Vernonia. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Call for Appt. (503) 429-8252
Flyers and resources: