Contact: Nathan Serrato, Communications and Marketing Manager,
nathan.serrato@productstewardship.us
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Starting today, the Oklahoma Meds and Sharps Disposal Committee (OMSDC), in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI), is renewing its call for safe disposal of medications and medical sharps. The Fall 2026 Safe Disposal Campaign is designed to protect families, sanitation workers, and the environment by raising awareness about why, how, and where to safely dispose of medications and medical sharps and expanding access to collection opportunities statewide.
The campaign builds momentum around DEA Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 24, which provides a one-day opportunity for residents to return unwanted medications. Because the DEA program does not accept sharps, OMSDC’s statewide initiative fills the gap by connecting Oklahomans with year-round options for safe disposal of both medicines and sharps.
Each year, Oklahoma households generate an estimated 60 million used medical sharps. If disposed of in household trash or flushed, these sharps can cause painful injuries to sanitation workers and spread infectious diseases. Medications thrown away or flushed can also contaminate drinking water and damage aquatic ecosystems, harming wildlife.
“Take-Back Day is a great reminder to clear out unused medications, but safe disposal should and can happen year-round in Oklahoma,” said Patrick Riley, Environmental Programs Manager, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. “Whether it’s leftover prescriptions or used sharps, Oklahomans have free, convenient options available all year, and we want every household to know where to find them and how to use them.”
Building on strong results from past campaigns, this year’s initiative features targeted social media outreach, printed materials, and partnerships with pharmacies, public health departments, and community organizations. Last year, the campaign reached more than 235,000 people and achieved record engagement with the online, interactive take-back location map—a demonstration of the growing demand for safe disposal options.
Oklahomans are encouraged to use the state’s interactive take-back map to find nearby disposal locations for medications and sharps. The resource is continually updated, making it easy to locate safe, secure, and free disposal options year-round.
Communities interested in launching their own sharps collection program can access guidance through OMSDC and PSI. Establishing Community Medical Sharps Programs: A Guide for Municipalities, Pharmacies, Health Clinics, and Nonprofits in Oklahoma offers information on program types, cost estimates, vendor options, and best practices for designing an effective collection initiative.
Oklahomans are urged to take part in DEA Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 24 by bringing unused medications to participating collection sites. Residents can also find safe disposal locations and events happening near them throughout the month by visiting oksafemeddisposal.org.
###
Product Stewardship Institute (PSI)
PSI is a policy expert and consulting nonprofit that pioneered product stewardship in the United States — the bedrock of the circular economy. Since 2000, PSI has helped enact 150 extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws across 22 product categories in 34 states and the District of Columbia. PSI works with governments, businesses, academia, and environmental groups to ensure that products are responsibly managed from design to end of life. Join us at www.productstewardship.us.
The Oklahoma Meds & Sharps Disposal Committee (OMSDC)
The OMSDC is a coalition of professionals working on a statewide solution for the safe disposal of medical sharps and leftover pharmaceuticals for Oklahoma residents. Funded by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality with facilitation and technical support from the Product Stewardship Institute, the committee meets periodically to share information and to develop solutions. www.oksafemeddisposal.org