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Taking care of our own:
Don't flush - Wrap & Trash
by Matthew Walter, MPH, Environmental Health and Safety representative, Safety Management Services

Proper disposal of household pharmaceuticals

Wrap & Trash

Have you ever asked yourself: How should I dispose of expired or unused pharmaceuticals no longer needed within my home? Here at Safety Management Services, we are hearing this question more and more by individuals concerned with environmental safety. The answer used to be as simple as "flush it down the toilet or pour it down the drain." But that response no longer applies and, in fact, would probably make an environmental health professional a little green around the gills.

Recent findings reported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency say that disposing unwanted pharmaceuticals directly into our water systems (either by flushing or drain disposal) is having an unhealthy impact on our waterways and aquatic life. Even though the amounts of pharmaceuticals found vary from location to location and the contamination is only in trace amounts, we need to challenge ourselves to make changes to the way we dispose of our household medications now - before the problem gets worse.

The following are some guidelines:

  • Take unused, unneeded or expired drugs out of their original container and place into a nonde-script container such as empty cans or sealable bags. If no other container is available, use the original container, but deface the label and any other personal or identifiable information.
  • Mix the drugs with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds, kitty litter, salt, charcoal or nontoxic powdered spice (such as turmeric or mustard) to make a pungent, unsightly mixture that discourages anyone from trying to divert the drugs for improper use.
  • Seal the container with duct tape or other opaque tape to prevent leaks and breakage. Double bag the contained drugs in a closable plastic bag then place in a nondescript container such as a brown paper bag or box.
  • Tape the outer container closed and put it in the trash. This helps prevent immediate identification that the package contains drugs and helps prevent any leaks if the container breaks during the disposal process. Avoid putting drugs into any material or food that might be attractive to pets or wildlife.

Some communities offer pharmaceutical take-back programs that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper disposal. These programs are a convenient and safe way to dispose of old meds.

Find more information, visit www.dontflushdrugs.com OR DOWNLOAD A POSTER AT www.med.umich.edu/i/sms/Waste/MedicationDisposal.pdf OR listen to a podcast at www.med.umich.edu/i/podcasts/#5

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