Maine’s Drug Take-Back Stewardship Program

In 2023, the Maine legislature passed a law establishing a drug take-back stewardship program, which requires drug manufacturers to pay for and manage a statewide drug take-back program for the collection and proper disposal of household pharmaceuticals. Maine’s drug take-back programs are operated by Stewardship Organizations (SOs), which are certified by the state of Maine and funded by drug manufacturers who sell pharmaceuticals in the state of Maine. The SOs are obligated to run the drug take-back program at no cost to the public and make it convenient for any person to return unused pharmaceuticals for safe transport and disposal.

All registered pharmacies in Maine are now required to provide a method of collection and transport to licensed pharmaceutical disposal facilities. These methods include providing prepaid mail-back envelopes to the public, placing a collection receptacle (kiosk) in the store, or providing another free, easy, and convenient take-back solution that they’ve worked with the stewardship organization to develop.

Where can I take my unwanted pharmaceuticals?

The Maine Drug Take-back Program website offers a search tool to locate a convenient drop-off near you. To access the nearest mail-back or drop-off kiosk location, enter your zip code or municipality name in the website’s searchable map. Clicking on the map icon for a collection location will bring up the collection location’s details, including the type of collection offered (drop-off or mail-back), the location’s name, phone number, hours of operation, and address, and a link to get directions to the site.

Additionally, the law also requires out-of-state pharmacies to provide a free prepaid mail-back option for people living in Maine to return unused pharmaceuticals for safe management and disposal. All brands, including generic drugs, are eligible for return through any take-back channel as long as they are covered under the law.

Why is pharmaceutical collection important?

Prescription pharmaceuticals, also referred to as prescription drugs or prescription medications, can be dangerous or deadly if left unused and unsecured. Accidental ingestion can harm children or pets, and misuse may occur if prescription drugs are left unsecured. In addition, improper disposal of pharmaceuticals can pollute and contaminate groundwaters and waterways. When prescription drugs are washed down the sink or toilet or thrown into the trash, they can break down into components called APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) when they reach septic systems or public wastewater treatment systems. Neither private septic systems nor Public Water Treatment facilities currently have the technology to filter the APIs out of the water before they eventually enter local surface waters, including streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and coastal waters.

If disposed of in the trash, pharmaceuticals will break down in the landfill. APIs have been shown to contaminate landfill leachate and migrate into the groundwater and eventually surface waters. Once APIs are introduced into the environment, they can have long-term negative impacts on ecosystems and public health, including toxicity, endocrine disruption, alterations of microbial communities, and antimicrobial resistance.

Covered Products: What drug products can be returned for free?

Any substance recognized as a drug under 21 United States Code, Section 321(g)(1), as amended, and any regulations adopted pursuant to that provision, that is sold, offered for sale or dispensed in the State, whether directly or through a wholesaler, in any form, including, but not limited to:

  • Prescription drugs;
  • Non-prescription drugs;
  • Drugs used in medical devices/products; and
  • Drugs for veterinary use.

Ineligible Products: What drug products can’t be returned through this program?

  • Vitamins or supplements;
  • Herbal-based remedies and homeopathic drugs, products or remedies;
  • Cosmetics, soap, laundry detergent, bleach, household cleaning products, shampoo, sunscreen, toothpaste, lip balm, antiperspirant or other personal care products that are both cosmetics and nonprescription drugs;
  • Pet pesticide products (pet collars, powders, shampoos, topical applications, etc.) or Prescription pet food;
  • Emptied syringes or emptied medical devices or the component parts or accessories of those products or devices;
  • Drugs that are used solely in a clinical setting;
  • Dialysate drugs required to perform home kidney dialysis;
  • Drugs with an existing take-back program through the federal government managed risk evaluation and mitigation strategy; and
  • If the manufacturer already provides a take-back program, drugs that are biological products, as defined in 21 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 600.3(h), are also not eligible.

Contact Information

For more information about the program, please contact: Robert Burks (207) 955-0288.