How to Dispose of Unwanted Medications
Expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications from households should never
be disposed of by flushing them down the toilet or a drain. Although this method of disposal prevents
accidental ingestion, it can cause contamination to the aquatic environment because wastewater
treatment systems are not designed to remove many of these medications.
Seven Steps to Safety
Please use these practical guidelines when disposing of prescription and over-the-counter medicines:
For Pills and Liquids:
1. Keep the medicines in the original container. This will help identify the contents if they are
accidentally ingested.
2. Mark out your name and prescription number for safety.
3. For pills: add some water or soda to start dissolving them. For liquids: add something inedible
like cat litter, dirt or cayenne pepper.
4. Close the lid and secure with duct or packing tape.
5. Place the bottle(s) inside an opaque (non see-through) container like a coffee can or plastic
laundry bottle.
6. Tape that container closed.
7. Hide the container in the trash. Do not put in the recycle bin.
· DO NOT give drugs to anyone else
· DO NOT flush drugs down the toilet
· Do not put drugs in the trash without disguising them – human or animal scavengers may
find them and misuse them.
Click here for a brochure on safe disposal of unwanted medications:
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