Contact: Kristina Benoist, Product Stewardship Institute
(617) 904-4439, kristina.benoist@productstewardship.us
Springfield, Missouri – This fall, Missourians are once again being urged to protect their families, communities, and environment by safely disposing of unused medications and medical sharps. The Fall 2025 Safe Disposal Campaign—led by the Missouri Product Stewardship Council (MO PSC), Missouri Department of Natural Resources, District O Solid Waste Management District, the Missouri Poison Center, and the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI)—provides safe, convenient options for residents across the state.
Timed to build momentum around DEA Take-Back Day on October 25, the campaign highlights year-round disposal options and fills a critical gap. Missouri’s campaign ensures residents know how to safely dispose of both medications and sharps every day of the year.
The dangers of improper disposal are real. Tossed or flushed medications can contaminate drinking water and threaten wildlife, while sharps discarded in the trash put sanitation workers, children, and others at risk of painful and potentially dangerous needle sticks.
This fall’s campaign expands on lessons learned from the successful 2024 pilot of a medicine mail-back envelope program, which provided residents—especially those in rural and homebound communities—with a free, anonymous, and convenient way to dispose of unwanted medicine. Building on that success, partners continue to explore ways to increase access to safe disposal statewide.
“Our goal is simple: give every Missourian a safe and convenient way to get rid of unwanted medications and sharps,” said Angie Snyder, Solid Waste Management District O Executive Director and MO PSC Chair. “We’ve worked tirelessly to harmonize safe disposal messaging across Missouri so that no matter where you live, you know where to turn. Protecting our families and our environment goes hand in hand—and this campaign makes it easier than ever.”
“Missouri has become a leader in tackling the medication and sharps disposal challenge,” added Scott Cassel, CEO and Founder of the Product Stewardship Institute. “By combining local leadership with statewide coordination, Missouri is creating a model for other states to follow.”
Throughout the campaign, residents will see outreach through social media, local pharmacies, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Pharmacies, public health departments, police stations, and hospitals are encouraged to join the effort. Interested groups can contact hanz@productstewardship.us to participate.
Residents are urged to take part in DEA Take-Back Day on October 25 and visit bit.ly/missouri-meds to find year-round disposal options across the state.
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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 146 extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws across 21 product categories in 34 states. 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.
Missouri Product Stewardship Council (MO PSC)
The MO PSC is a coalition of local governments, businesses, and other stakeholders that aim to reduce waste, increase reuse and recycling, save local governments money, and support jobs. We take a product stewardship approach, which seeks to share responsibility with product manufacturers and creates accountability for managing waste, particularly at the post-consumer stage. www.missouripsc.org