Medical Waste Disposal

Proper disposal of medical waste keeps it out of the hands of drug abusers and keeps our water supply from being contaminated by medications.

Medical Waste Disposal Kiosks

There are 2 kiosks located by the back door of the Town Office Building: a blue one for medicines and a red one for sharps. Each kiosk is built like a large Post Office mailbox.

Sharps Box

Sharps Kiosk

  • For disposal of needles and syringes only
  • Needles and syringes must be in a medical sharps container, or closed, heavy duty plastic container like a detergent bottle. Maximum container size is 2 quarts.
  • No loose needles or syringes
  • No glass containers, paper or plastic bags

Medication Kiosk

Medicines Box

  • For disposal of medications, both prescription and non-prescription. No Schedule II medications — see "Schedule II Medications" section.
  • Liquids should be in their original, closed container. Remove any personal information on the container.
  • Pills should be placed in a closed container or zip lock bag.
  • No alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other solutions.
  • No mercury or mercury-containing devices — take these to the Waste Shed at the Composting Facility, 60 Hartwell Avenue.

Directions to Kiosks

To reach the kiosk, park in the circular driveway in front of Cary Memorial Building. Walk down the walkway between Cary and the Town Office Building, and down the steps. You will see the red and blue kiosk to your left, beside the Town Office Building entrance.

Medical Waste Collection Days

The Lexington Board of Health and the Department of Public Health, in collaboration with the Lexington Department of Public Works, periodically offers a medical waste drop off service at no cost to residents.

  • Lexington residents only, with ID (such as a driver's license)
  • Residential medical waste only (medical waste from businesses or medical offices is not accepted)
  • No Schedule II medications - see "Schedule II Medications" section.

Upcoming Collection Days

Medical Waste Collection Truck

  • Saturday, April 6, 2024 9 am to 12 pm
  • Wednesday, June 5, 2024 5 pm to 7 pm

Medical Waste Days Flyer

Location:
Parking lot behind the Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Avenue

Enter the parking lot by the Police Station and then drive behind Cary Memorial Building. Signs will be posted to help guide you on the day of the event.

What to Bring:

  • Sharps, needles, syringes - must be in puncture-proof, closed containers (such as red medical waste containers, detergent bottle, coffee cans or similar sturdy puncture proof containers) - the container will not be returned to you
  • Expired/unwanted medicine

What Not to Bring:

  • Personal Care Products such as over the counter toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoos, soaps, Vaseline, muscle ache ointments, hand cream, shaving cream, and lotions
  • Medical Devices or unused medical supplies - these can sometimes be donated - see the "Donating Medical Devices or Unused Medical Supplies" section.

Schedule II Medications

These are drugs with a high risk of abuse and addiction, and they must be brought to an approved disposal facility. The closest facilities to Lexington are:

  • Lahey Clinic Pharmacy, 41 Mall Road, Burlington
  • CVS, 242 Cambridge Street, Burlington
  • CVS, 833 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington

Schedule II drugs include:

  • amphetamine (Dexedrine®, Adderall®)
  • codeine
  • fentanyl (Sublimaze®, Duragesic®)
  • hydrocodone
  • hydromorphone (Dilaudid®)
  • meperidine (Demerol®)
  • methadone (Dolophine®)
  • methamphetamine (Desoxyn®)
  • methylphenidate (Ritalin®)
  • morphine
  • opium
  • oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet®)

Donating Medical Devices or Unused Medical Supplies

American Medical Resource Foundation will accept devices and supplies such as:

  • Blood pressure kits
  • Diabetes monitoring kits
  • Unused lancets
  • Unused bandages and related goods

The Town of Lexington does not endorse or recommend any specific organization.

For more information, contact the Public Health Department at 781-698-4533.