Proper Disposal of Unused Pharmaceuticals

Recent reports of trace levels of pharmaceutical compounds in drinking water supplies have raised awareness for the need to properly dispose of expired and unused pharmaceutical medications. Most importantly, medications should never be flushed down the drain. Here are two methods for proper pharmaceutical disposal:

1. The best solution is to return them to a pharmacy with a take-back program. Please check with your local pharmacy to see if they offer a take-back program.

2. Follow the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for disposing of pharmaceutical wastes in the trash: Remove the medicines from the original container and mix with an undesirable material such as coffee grounds, ashes, or kitty litter. Then place the mixture in an impermeable container such as a sealable bag and discard the bag in the trash. Recycle the empty plastic medicine bottles in your curbside recycling program.