Proper Prescription Drug Disposal
By: Sommer | April 04, 2008 | Category: Health
A recent study announced that pharmaceuticals like sex hormones, mood stabilizers, and acetaminophen were found in the U.S. drinking
water supply. YIKES! When I read the article, it didn’t really strike close to home, until…
A couple weeks ago when my nesting instinct took me on a trip to the top shelf of my linen closet to a basket full of expired medications and first aid supplies.
So, this was my dilemma; do I contribute further to the problem by just cavalierly tossing the stuff in the trash like I had originally planned? Not if I can help it! But, what do I do? I’ve heard of some prescription drug take back programs but in my search I couldn’t find one in my local area. (I wish I lived in the Great Lakes Region – they’re collecting old pharmaceuticals to commemorate Earth Day – how cool!)
While there's lots of advice on taking meds, from what I could find, there's a lack of clear info about what to do if you no longer need the medicine and have to dispose of it. And, I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m a little confused by the guidance on proper disposal – I’ve read, “Crush Don’t Flush” from the SmaRxt Disposal campaign but the ONDCP says that flushing is appropriate in certain circumstances.
I don’t feel fully comfortable that the instructions I found will completely protect the environment, but I guess it’s better than doing nothing. Here’s how I’ll dispose of my pills:
- Remove them from their original containers
- Crush the pills and put them in a sealable container – probably a plastic zipper bag
- I’ll add coffee grounds to the bag (they recommend mixing the crushed pills with an “undesirable substance”)
- Then I’ll throw the bag in the trash.
I’ll also be sure to remove any identifying information from prescription drug containers before I recycle them (if they’re recyclable, of course).
Here are some other resources I found:
- EPA’s Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products page
- Disposal of Unwanted Medicines: A Resource for Action in Your Community
- Check with your local waste collection agency since they often have information specific to your local area.
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Posted by dcrider on April 04, 2008 at 09:07 AM EDT #
Posted by Smart on April 04, 2008 at 08:30 PM EDT #
Posted by Citizen Jmaximus on April 07, 2008 at 08:45 AM EDT #
Posted by PILL DUMPING on April 18, 2008 at 01:42 PM EDT #
Also "Summer" is not listed as a blogger
Posted by Joiseyjoe on May 04, 2008 at 07:02 AM EDT #