How and where to dispose of unneeded medications and durable medical equipment

Throughout our lifetime, we or our loved ones may require medical equipment and supplies to help with daily activities such as mobility, personal care, and medical conditions. These supplies are called durable medical equipment.

Disposing of and removing the equipment, and getting rid of medications, when they are no longer needed is not a step many plan for ahead of time. Facing this decision, many questions may come to mind, including what one is able to donate, return, or sell, and to where?

Below is a guide to help you identify resources available to you when you or a loved one no longer needs durable medical equipment, supplies, or medications. 

If your loved one received medication from a hospice provider, they will dispose of the unused medication according to state guidelines and law. Unused medications should be discarded at your local police department. Remember, you should not reuse, donate, recycle, or dispose of the medication down the toilet. 

If the supplies were rented or on loan from the home health, palliative care or hospice organization, you will schedule a time for the organization to pick up the supplies. They will then return the supplies on your behalf to their home medical equipment partner.  

If you purchased the durable medical equipment, you can donate it to one of the organizations below. Additionally, you are eligible for a tax deduction. Ensure that you receive a tax deduction receipt from the organization you donate to. It is important to review the organization’s acceptable durable medical equipment and supplies to verify if your equipment is eligible.

Organizations that accept donations: 

• State Assistive Technology programs offer many services that include device and equipment recycling. To find a device recycling program in your state, visit National Assistive Technology. 

• Med-Eq is an organization that elevates the burden for you. They match donated materials to charitable organizations in the United States for distribution. To get started, click here to enter information about your equipment, location and whether you need the equipment picked up or mailed. Once you match with an organization, they will contact you with next steps.  

• Project C.U.R.E donates supplies and equipment around the world to hospitals, clinics and community health organizations in need. They receive donations from United States hospitals, medical manufacturers, wholesale distributors and individual donors. Click here to find a distribution facility near you. For a general list of acceptable items, please click here.

• Medshare is a humanitarian aid organization that recovers and sources surplus medical equipment and supplies to medical facilities around the world. To donate your equipment, complete the form here.

• The Refurbished Equipment Marketplace is a marketplace that accepts donations, refurbishes the equipment, and sells them on their marketplace. 

Organizations that help you sell your durable medical equipment:

• There are many websites where you can sell eligible medical equipment and supplies. Please note that each site has their own policy and eligibility on what medical equipment and supplies can be sold. Craigslist, Ebay, UsedHME, and Disabled Dealer are a few options.

If you need more help with understanding how to remove or donate durable medical equipment, talk to our concierge service here at Peacefully. They are available to offer case-specific advice, recommendations, and can help complete this task for you. For more about our concierge service, or to schedule a free consultation, click here.

— Lesley Hellow