MENDOCINO CO., 12/23/25 — A new drop box is available in Laytonville for residents to safely dispose of medications, the nonprofit MED-Project said Friday.
Flushing unwanted medications down the toilet may be convenient, but it can pollute water systems, according to the Department of Agriculture. Medications disposed of this way can seep into groundwater and waterways, where they can harm wildlife and help create bacteria that are harder to treat with antibiotics.
The installation of the drop box is part of an initiative by MED-Project to add 15 new drop boxes across Northern California. The Laytonville drop box is located at Branscomb Pharmacy, 51 Branscomb Road. The boxes provide rural residents with a safe, convenient and confidential way to dispose of household medications they no longer need, the nonprofit said.
“These new drop boxes help keep our communities safe by giving residents a simple and secure way to dispose of household medications they no longer need,” said Dr. Victoria Travis, program director for MED-Project. “By adding new drop boxes, we’re making safe disposal both easy and local, and providing solutions that truly serve communities.”
Other locations in Mendocino County where residents can drop off unwanted medications include Safeway pharmacies in Fort Bragg and Ukiah, Little Lake Health Center in Willits, and Consolidated Tribal Health in Redwood Valley. For additional locations, visit medtakebackcalifornia.org
MED-Project also offers free take-back of sharps and needles. California residents can request a free mail-back package at med-project.org or by calling 844-MED-PROJECT.