Unused prescription bottles, expired medications and forgotten pills can accumulate in household medicine cabinets for years. On Saturday, October 24, 2026, Travis County residents will have an opportunity to clear them out safely during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, with five convenient collection locations throughout Austin.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., all five Travis County Constable Precincts will accept unwanted prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines and pet medications. The event is completely free, anonymous and open to anyone looking for a responsible way to dispose of medications they no longer need.

Organized locally through Travis County's Sustainability Team and Constables, the initiative addresses two concerns that affect households across Central Texas: preventing medication misuse and keeping pharmaceutical substances out of local water supplies.

Why Proper Medication Disposal Matters for Travis County Families

A bottle of medication left in a bathroom drawer might seem harmless, but unused medicines can create safety risks, particularly in homes with children, teenagers or individuals who may accidentally take the wrong medication.

Proper disposal helps reduce opportunities for prescription drug misuse, accidental poisoning and drug toxicity. It also offers an environmentally responsible alternative to flushing medications down toilets or pouring them into household drains.

When medications enter wastewater systems, some pharmaceutical compounds may pass through treatment processes and eventually reach rivers, streams and other waterways.

For Austin and Travis County residents, where protecting water quality remains an important community priority, safely disposing of unused medications is one small household action that can contribute to broader environmental protection.

The nationwide effort is coordinated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which encourages communities to remove unnecessary medications from homes through authorized collection events.

Where to Drop Off Unused Medications in Austin on October 24

Travis County will offer five collection sites during National Drug Take Back Day. Residents can choose whichever location is most convenient, regardless of where they live in the county.

• Saturday, October 24, 2026
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Free and anonymous

Residents can bring eligible medications directly to any participating precinct during the four-hour collection window.

Needles and syringes will not be accepted at the October 24 event.

Can't Make It October 24? Travis County Offers Year-Round Medication Disposal

Residents do not have to wait for National Drug Take Back Day to dispose of unwanted medications.

Permanent medication drop-off kiosks are available at all five Travis County Constable Precincts, providing an ongoing option for households cleaning out medicine cabinets or managing medications after a change in treatment.

Residents can also search for additional authorized collection locations through the DEA's year-round medication disposal locator.

For households with needles, syringes or other medical sharps, separate disposal resources are available at several Austin locations:

Residents should confirm current kiosk availability and accepted materials before visiting these year-round locations.

A Simple Way to Make Austin Homes and Waterways Safer

National Drug Take Back Day also provides an opportunity for families to have conversations about medication safety, particularly when children or older adults live in the household.

Taking a few minutes to check medicine cabinets, kitchen drawers and other storage areas can help identify expired prescriptions, medications that are no longer needed and pet medicines that should be discarded.

Travis County's October 24 collection event brings together county constables, sustainability staff and community volunteers. Previous local efforts have also involved University of Texas pharmacy students, reflecting the role that public service and education can play in preventing medication-related harm.

For residents who have been meaning to clean out their medicine cabinets, the upcoming event offers a convenient opportunity to complete that task while supporting a safer community.

Additional information about the nationwide initiative is available at DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Questions about the Travis County event can be directed to the Travis County Sustainability Team at 737-701-8347 or conserve@traviscountytx.gov. 

Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for more Travis County community events, public safety resources and local initiatives affecting Austin-area families.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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