Medication Recycling Program

Effective December 1, 2023, the Health and Human Services Department located at Skokie Village Hall can no longer accept expired and/or unwanted medications.  This is due to the new Drug Take Back Act that requires that medications be disposed of at locations that can accept both controlled and non-controlled substances, such as Police Stations and Pharmacies.

Fortunately, there are several medication collection locations in Skokie.  All locations accept controlled and non-controlled substances, but no liquids, powders, or sharps.

  1. Cook County Courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Rd:  Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  2. MWRD O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant, 3500 Howard Street:  Seven days a week 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (see security guard at the gate)
  3. Walgreens, 3945 Dempster St. Seven days a week 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. (only this Walgreens location at this time)
  4. Skokie Police Department, 7300 Niles Center Rd.:  Open seven days a week, 7a.m. to 10 p.m.  This program is made possible by a partnership between the Skokie Police Department and the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

The Health and Human Services Department located at Skokie Village Hall continues to accept sharps.  

By disposing of your unneeded or expired medications in this manner, you are helping protect the environment and helping prevent drug abuse. Never before has safe, secure and environmentally responsible disposal been so simple.

Accepted items include prescription medications, controlled substances, all over-the-counter medications, medication samples, pet medications as well as vitamins and supplements. Ointments and salves are accepted, but no liquids.  Liquid medications can be disposed of at local household hazardous waste sites or events.  Please note that this program does not accept needles/sharps, syringes with needles, thermometers, IV bags, bloody or infectious waste, personal care products, empty containers and hydrogen peroxide.  

The annual Skokie Spring Greening event held in April each year typically includes medication disposal.