Did you know you are not supposed to throw old medication in the garbage or flush it down the toilet?
It’s true. If you throw it away, you could be endangering other people or animals who may ingest the medication if it is found as well as endanger the environment. If you flush it, trace amounts show up in our water sources. There are a few steps you can take to make sure your prescriptions or over the counter medicine is disposed of properly.
- Read the label! Some medications include specific instructions for disposal. If you are unsure, you can always talk to your pharmacist.
- Use a give back program. Visit www.DisposeMyMeds.org and use their pharmacy locator to see where the closest location is to you.
- Properly trash them. If you cannot find a give back program, you can do to minimize the impact of disposal. Empty the bottle or package and mix it with kitty litter or coffee grounds. This will make it much less likely to be consumed by an animal or another person. You should put the mixture in a disposable container with a lid, make sure it’s sealed and throw it away. Also remember to scratch off your name and personal information from any packaging.