Pharmaceutical Waste Collection Program

8The Brighton Police Department participates in the New York State Medication Drop Box Program. There is a secure drop box located in the lobby of the police department where individuals may dispose of unwanted medications during times the Records Division is open. This is normally Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., excluding holidays. The Brighton Police Department is located at 2300 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY, 14618.

Medications should be left in their original containers. Liquid medications need to be brought to the front counter of the Police Department. Please do not place liquids in the collection drop box. Note: We no longer accept syringes and other sharps.

The Brighton Police Department offers this collection program for the proper disposal of medications and other pharmaceutical wastes that have passed their expiration dates or are no longer needed or wanted. Due to the ever growing concern that pharmaceutical wastes are being discovered in US waterways and the increase in the misuse of pharmaceuticals, the Brighton Police Department has partnered with the Monroe County Department of Environmental Services to address these concerns. Collection events are for residential pharmaceuticals only. Pharmacies, medical offices, veterinarians, and other businesses may not participate in these collection events.

Please keep your medications in their original containers. You may cross off your name and personal information only. Please do NOT cover up or remove the name or the dosage of the medication. The collected medications and their containers will be removed at a later date for final witnessed destruction via incineration, under law enforcement supervision, with the assistance of the Monroe County Department of Environmental Services.

So far, the Brighton Police Department has kept more than 45,000 pounds of pharmaceuticals out of the environment and out of the hands of those who would abuse them. Collected by the Brighton Police Department:

• 2009:    640 pounds
• 2010:    500 pounds
• 2011: 1,413 pounds
• 2012: 3,128 pounds
• 2013: 4,279 pounds
• 2014: 4,955 pounds
• 2015: 5,212 pounds
• 2016: 5,325 pounds
• 2017: 5,755 pounds
• 2018: 4,813 pounds
• 2019: 4,383 pounds
• 2020: 2,145 pounds
• 2021:  2,390 pounds 
• 2022: 2,405 pounds
• so far in 2023:  518 pounds

Total as of MAY 19, 2023: 47,861 pounds

Questions about pharmaceutical collection events at the Brighton Police Department should be directed to Investigator Ryan Lehigh at (585) 784-5116 or via email. For information about collection events on other dates and in other locations, call (585) 753-7600, option 3, or visit the Monroe County Department of Environmental Services' website.