The Big Red Barrel Project
Addiction typically starts with prescription medication abuse, specifically heavy pain killers. After numerous deaths throughout Livingston County that were attributed to drug overdoses, Livingston County Community Alliance members (LCCA) members saw the need for a place where people could safely dispose of their unwanted medication. The Big Red Barrel effort has resulted in the secure and environmentally safe disposal of over 50 tons (or 100,000 pounds) of drugs. With permanent prescription drug collection units available for community use, it would decrease the likelihood of prescription drug abuse, heroin use, and maintain a healthy environment.
Medication Take Back Schedule
2025 Dates*
January 4th, 9am-1pm: Recycle Livingston, Howell
February 1st, 9am-1pm: Recycle Livingston, Howell
February 1st, 10am-1pm: Community Connect, Brighton
March 1st, 9am-1pm: Recycle Livingston, Howell
March 12th, 6pm-8pm: Genoa Township Hall, Brighton
April 5th, 9am-1pm: Recycle Livingston, Howell
April 12th, 9am-1pm: Pinckney, Michigan
April 26th, 9am-1pm: Lake Trust Headquarters, Brighton
May 3rd, 9am-1pm: Recycle Livingston, Howell
May 17th, 9am-1pm: Garbage Man, Howell
June 7th, 9am-1pm: Recycle Livingston, Howell
June 7th, 8am-12pm: Genoa Township, Genoa
July 12th, 9am-1pm: Recycle Livingston, Howell
August 2nd, 9am-1pm: Recycle Livingston, Howell
August 23rd, 8am-4pm: LESA, PREP EXPO, Howell
August 27th, 6pm-8pm: Brighton Millpond
September 6th, 9am-1pm: Recycle Livingston, Howell
September 13th, 9am-12pm: Garbage Man, Howell
September 27th, 10am-2pm: UofM Pharmacy Students, Pinckney
October 4th, 9am-1pm: Recycle Livingston, Howell
October 4th, 9am-1pm: Lake Trust Headquarters, Brighton
October 11th, 9:30am-1:30pm: Washtenaw Community College, Ypsilanti
November 1st, 9am-1pm: Recycle Livingston, Howell
November 1st, 8am-11am: Genoa Township Hall, Brighton
December 6th, 9am-1pm: Recycle Livingston, Howell
**Dates subject to cancellation due to holidays or poor weather. Keep up-to-date via our Facebook page.**
**Also see Facebook for needle/syringe/sharp drop off**
How To Drop Off Medications
There is a “no questions asked” policy. This program is free and available for all people to use.
Pills, Capsules, and Tablets
- Bring pills in a resealable plastic baggie. This can include prescription and over the counter medications including but not limited to: cold medicines, medication samples, vitamins, veterinary prescriptions, medication patches, and medicated ointments or lotions.
- Prior to disposal: remove pills from their original container and place them into the baggie. Seal the baggie and dispose of it into the barrel.
*if you do not have a plastic baggie, please dump pills directly into the barrel*
Liquid Medication, Ointments, and Lotions
- Prior to disposal, absorb the liquid with a paper towel.
- Place the soaked paper towel into a resealable plastic baggie. Please limit the baggie to one type of medication. Same medications can go into the same baggie. Do not mix with pills, tablets, or capsules.
- Dispose of the resealable plastic bag into the Big Red Barrel.
- If you have the container that held the medication, please dispose of it somewhere else other than the Big Red Barrel.
Needles, Syringes, and Sharps
Did you know that we accept needles, syringes, and sharps in partnership with the Livingston County Drain Commissioner? Find us at local events in the community and on the 1st Saturday of each month at Recycle Livingston, in Howell from 9:00am-1:00pm.
- Needles MUST be placed in a needle disposal container (can be purchased at most pharmacies) or placed in a plastic bottle, such as a laundry detergent bottle, and the cap securely tightened and taped shut.
For additional information about proper needle disposal, you can also visit the Livingston County website.
Find A Drop Off Location
In Livingston County
Michigan State Police, Brighton Post
Fowlerville Police Department
Hamburg Police Department
Pinckney Police Department
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office - Inside Jail
The Livingston County Jail
Unadilla Police Department
Green Oak Township Police Department
Brighton Police Department
Howell Police Department
Any Michigan State Police Post
Law Enforcement Partnership
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) mandates that prescription drug take back programs be monitored by law enforcement at all times.  The members spoke with the Livingston County Sheriff’s department to gage law enforcement buy-in. The department said that if LCCA volunteers were willing to do the footwork, law enforcement would support the effort and be willing to handle pill collections and disposal. With assistance from community businesses, local law enforcement agencies, students, and other community members, LCCA members were able to design units that looked like big, red, barrels. The big red barrels were first placed in the Michigan State Police Department in Brighton, MI and at the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department in April, 2011 and have been a success ever since.
Results
Currently, Big Red Barrels can be found at all police departments throughout Livingston County. Since the Big Red Barrel Project’s inception, over 50 TONS of medication have been collected in Livingston County alone.
The barrels and the LCCA have received publicity from all local television stations and was recognized by the State of Michigan as a Hometown Health Hero. So far, we have placed 79 barrels throughout the state of Michigan!
Continuing Plans
The Big Red Barrel program has become a model program for other communities interested in creating similar drug take back programs. The LCCA is looking forward to working with these communities. For more information, contact Holly Oswalt via email at hollyo@livingstoncc.org or phone number at 517-545-5944.
If you would like The Big Red Barrel at one of your events, please fill out the link below. We will get back to you within 24-48 hours of submitting your request.