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.

Community members are invited to place medications in secure disposal boxes located in several locations in Rice County. Law enforcement officials routinely collect the medications and take them to an incinerator to be destroyed.

Why is it important?

The Rice County community is serious about preventing medication misuse/abuse and about environmentally safe disposal of unneeded medications.

Abuse of prescription and over-the-counter medication is dangerous. Safe disposal makes medicines less available.

Improper disposal of medicines damages the environment. Proper disposal helps protect our soil and water.

When is it available?

Take It To The Box medication disposal boxes are available 7 days per week, 24 hours per day.

Where are the disposal boxes located?

Drop-off boxes are located in the lobbies of:

• Northfield Police Department: 1615 Riverview Drive, Northfield
• Rice County Public Safety Center: 50 E View Dr, Faribault
• Faribault Police Department: 25 4th St NW, Faribault
• Lonsdale Police Department: 115 SW Alabama St, Lonsdale

Local pharmacies with medication disposal boxes include:

• Allina Health District One Pharmacy, 200 State Ave, Faribault, (507) 497-3797, Monday through Friday 9 am to 5:30 pm
• Hy-Vee Pharmacy, 1920 Grant St NW, Faribault, (507) 334-1555, 7 days a week, 5 am to 11 pm

What do I do?

1. Leave medication in the original container.
2. Leave the type/name of the medication on the container.
3. Drop medication into the disposal box opening.

IT’S FREE!

Disposing of other medical waste?

Prevent injury, illness, and pollution by following some simple steps when you dispose of the sharp objects and contaminated materials used in administering health care in your home or in your livestock operation.

Follow these guidelines to ensure the safety of garbage haulers, recycling personnel, and other solid waste facility workers.

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Needles, Syringes, and Lancets

Important: Needles, syringes, and lancets must not be disposed of with household garbage or recycling. Follow these steps:

• Don’t clip needles off, unless you have a device that stores the needle after it has been clipped.
• Place needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharp objects in a hard plastic or metal container with a screw-on lid like a detergent bottle or a coffee can.
• Secure the lid with heavy-duty tape. label the container: Home Sharps-NOT FOR RECYCLING.
• Dispose of the sealed containers by bringing them to the Rice County Solid Waste Facility.

Bandages, Sheets, and Gloves

Soiled bandages, disposable sheets, and medical gloves should be placed in a well-sealed plastic bag before they are put in the garbage with your other trash.

Questions? Please call (507) 332-6833
Rice County Environmental Services Department
3800 East 145th Street, Dundas, MN 55019

Last updated 8/27/2025