S.A.F.E. Medication Disposal Program

S.A.F.E stands for Safe Alternative For Everyone. We are serious about providing a Safe Alternative for Everyone when it comes to medication disposal.

The S.A.F.E. program allows Goodhue County residents to properly dispose of unused/unneeded, and expired medications. Drug disposal boxes are located at two locations:

  • Red Wing
    • Goodhue County Law Enforcement Center
      430 West Sixth St., Red Wing, MN
      Available seven days a week
      24 hours a day
  • Wanamingo
    • Wanamingo City Hall-Sheriff's Office
      401 Main St., Wanamingo, MN
      Available Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m.-noon

Items accepted at the drop boxes are:

  • Prescription medication
  • Over the counter medications
  • Narcotics and other controlled substances
  • Medication Samples
  • Pet medications
  • Vitamins
  • Liquid medication in glass or leak proof containers
  • Medicated ointments and lotions (4 oz. or less)
  • Inhalers

Before placing medication in the box, please do the following:

  • Leave medication in its original container (if container does not fit in box, place pills in plastic baggies which are provided, empty pill bottles may then be thrown in the trash)
  • Remove your name and personal information
  • Make sure the container is closed
  • Place liquid contents in a leak proof or glass container


IMPORTANT: This program does NOT accept needles, syringes or sharps of any kind. To dispose of these items we recommend placing them in a “puncture” proof container such as a coffee can or old laundry detergent bottle. Duct tape the container shut and mark the outside with a permanent marker saying “SHARPS”. Once this is done, bring the container to the Waste Campus at 1873 Bench St. Do not place the container in your garbage can or the recycling.

Please read the Allowed/Not Allowed list of items as well as our FAQ sheet for more information.

This program is provided by Goodhue County Public Health, Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office, Red Wing Police Department, and the City of Red Wing Public Works.