Where can I dispose of unused medicines in Ireland?

The short answer

Ask your pharmacy whether it accepts unwanted medicines, or check whether your civic amenity site accepts this hazardous waste. Do not assume every pharmacy provides the service.

Checked 7 October 2026 by BinDay against the sources below. This guide covers the Republic of Ireland; bin colours and collector instructions can differ.

What to do

1. Contact the pharmacy or site before bringing medicines.
2. Confirm which items it accepts and how they should be presented.
3. Use the current MyWaste guidance to check available collection arrangements.

Common mistake to avoid

Unwanted medicines need an approved disposal route. A general recycling guide is not permission to put them in household recycling.

Sources and local checks

• MyWaste: unwanted medicines and participating pharmacies

For a collection point, check what it accepts before travelling. For household-bin instructions, find your collector. How BinDay checks sources and corrects mistakes.