Safe At-Home Medication Disposal
It’s Not Destroyed if it’s not Deterra®. Our solution is the only independently tested and environmentally sound system to permanently destroy prescription and over the counter pills, patches, liquids, creams and films. Powered by proprietary activated carbon, Deterra’s patented products are simple, safe and can be used at home or in a clinical setting.
Destroy Drugs – Not the Environment
Permanently destroy prescription and over the counter medications in three simple steps from the comfort of home. Made with non-toxic materials, the easy-to-use Deterra Pouches are proven to deactivate medication in a safe, environmentally sound way. Deterra’s Plant-Based Pouches are USDA Certified, 50% or more bio-based, and have earned the I’m green™ plastic certification.
INTERESTED IN PURCHASING CASE QUANTITIES?
Our products are now available to order case quantities online. Create a business account to see case quantity pricing for Deterra Pouches, containers and more.

Contain the Drug Abuse Crisis
Deterra continual use containers are the only proven solution for bulk disposal of unwanted or unused medication in clinical and public settings. The three-step process permanently deactivates ingredients and renders medication inert so they can’t be accidentally ingested, stolen, abused or leaked into our ecosystem.
Complete Your Medication Disposal System with our Accessories
Accessories for Deterra products include convenient wall mounts, safe locks, and lock boxes to secure Deterra Containers as well as consumer education pieces and retail easels to display in your pharmacy or clinic.
Amplify your impact with Deterra Value Added Services
Our Value Added Services are a convenient, effective way to promote your organization, educate end-users about Deterra and evaluate the impact of your prevention efforts. From designing your postcard to adhering the labels and creating an online survey, we take care of the details so your Deterra Pouches are shipped to you ready for distribution.
Deterra System Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Deterra Drug Deactivation System is the simplest and most effective way to dispose of medication at home or in a clinical setting to keep unwanted prescription and over the counter drugs out of the wrong hands and prevent environmental contamination. Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about Deterra products and at-home drug disposal.
The Deterra® Drug Deactivation System is a safe medication disposal pouch or container that can be used at home or in a clinical setting. It is the safest, most effective choice used to destroy and properly dispose of unused, unwanted, and expired medications with the simple addition of tap water.
Each patented Deterra Pouch contains a water-soluble inner pod containing proprietary activated carbon. To dispose of prescription or over the counter medications, a user places the drugs in the pouch and adds water, which dissolves the inner pod and releases the activated carbon. The carbon binds to the active ingredients in the medications. Once deactivated, the drugs are permanently and irreversibly destroyed, unavailable for misuse and safe for disposal in the normal trash.
To learn more about the science behind Deterra, visit our Science and Research section. For how-to videos and instructions for how to use the Deterra Drug Deactivation System to dispose of medications, visit our Resources section.
The Deterra® Drug Deactivation and Disposal System will deactivate organic medications including opioids, fentanyl, most illicit drugs and vape fluid.
However, Deterra will not adsorb biologics, such as vaccines and immunotherapeutics which are typically administered in a healthcare setting. Additionally, inorganic medications—such as antacids, lithium, and iron supplements—will not be adsorbed. Deterra will not deactivate leaf marijuana.
It is impossible to know all forms and potency of illicit drugs. Follow state and local guidelines on safe medication disposal where applicable.
If your medication has specific disposal instructions, please follow the directions as given. Consult authorities or your pharmacist for more specific questions.
With Deterra, the process of deactivation starts immediately, but it can take time to complete. Some highly soluble drugs will dissolve and adsorb rapidly, while other less soluble drug types will take longer to dissolve and adsorb. The deactivation period varies based on volume and type of medication. As an additional safety precaution, it is important to keep Deterra out of reach of children and pets as the medication is deactivated.
Based on testing, back extraction of the deactivated drugs is not effective. When used properly, the activated carbon will retain the drugs, rendering the contents of the Deterra Drug Deactivation System inert, unavailable for misuse and safe for the environment.
Adding drugs to Deterra in amounts at (or less than) our recommended capacity will result in optimal deactivation efficiency. If one were to add slightly more than the recommended pharmaceutical capacity, deactivation of additional drugs will still occur but at reduced efficiency. Please always follow the directions on the back of the Deterra Drug Deactivation and Disposal System.
The water-soluble pod inside the pouch will not open and expose the carbon to the medication. Tap water will also help dissolve pills and draw the drugs out of patches. The absence of water will not allow the deactivation process to begin. Please always follow the directions on the back of the Deterra Drug Deactivation System.
The granular activated carbon used in Deterra is non-corrosive to skin and eyes. The organic carbon is considered non-flammable and stable under normal conditions for shipment, storage and use. There are no known harmful effects associated with ingestion of carbon used in Deterra; it is considered non-toxic. For more information, please see Deterra Drug Deactivation System Safety Data Sheets.
Deterra is environmentally sound through the entire product life cycle. From using 100% wind-generated power in production of the plant-based pouches to the non-toxic organic ingredients to its innovative pouch design, the product:
- Provides a convenient and immediate alternative to flushing or discarding medications and prevents still-potent drugs from contaminating our water supply and landfills through activated carbon adsorption.
- Has a smaller carbon footprint due to its plant-based packaging. The packaging is USDA Certified, 50% or more bio-based, and has received the I’m green™ plastic certification.
- Deterra Pouches are manufactured in a factory built to LEED® Silver sustainable building guidelines on equipment powered by 100% wind-generated electrical energy and are printed using an Expanded Color Gamut Process to reduce ink consumption and waste.
- Deterra 1.0 Containers are comprised of 25% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) material.
To help educate users on the importance of proper drug disposal for the environment and how to use the Deterra® Drug Deactivation System, we offer free educational materials for consumers and dispensers. See resources.
Deterra pouches and containers do not expire.
Deterra products do not need to be stored at a specific temperature and do not lose efficacy when stored in extreme heat or cold. However, the pouch or container may expand or contract in these conditions.

Request a Quote
The Deterra pouches can be purchased for individual or consumer use online. For bulk purchasing or ordering containers and disposal kits, please contact our sales team using our email address, phone number or the online form below.