Return unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter drugs to take-back programs or follow household disposal steps. Do not flush drugs down the toilet unless instructed. The best option is to attend drug take-back events held by some local governments for proper disposal. If unavailable, mix drugs with an undesirable substance like coffee grounds, place in a sealed container, and dispose in the trash to prevent environmental contamination and accidental poisoning. Improper disposal may allow drugs to enter water sources through septic systems or wastewater treatment plants.
Return unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter drugs to take-back programs or follow household disposal steps. Do not flush drugs down the toilet unless instructed. The best option is to attend drug take-back events held by some local governments for proper disposal. If unavailable, mix drugs with an undesirable substance like coffee grounds, place in a sealed container, and dispose in the trash to prevent environmental contamination and accidental poisoning. Improper disposal may allow drugs to enter water sources through septic systems or wastewater treatment plants.
Return unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter drugs to take-back programs or follow household disposal steps. Do not flush drugs down the toilet unless instructed. The best option is to attend drug take-back events held by some local governments for proper disposal. If unavailable, mix drugs with an undesirable substance like coffee grounds, place in a sealed container, and dispose in the trash to prevent environmental contamination and accidental poisoning. Improper disposal may allow drugs to enter water sources through septic systems or wastewater treatment plants.
Return unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter drugs to take-back programs or follow household disposal steps. Do not flush drugs down the toilet unless instructed. The best option is to attend drug take-back events held by some local governments for proper disposal. If unavailable, mix drugs with an undesirable substance like coffee grounds, place in a sealed container, and dispose in the trash to prevent environmental contamination and accidental poisoning. Improper disposal may allow drugs to enter water sources through septic systems or wastewater treatment plants.
DON’T: Flush expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter
drugs down the toilet or drain unless the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs you to do so. DO: Return unwanted or expired prescription and over-the-counter drugs to a drug take-back program or follow the steps for household dis- posal below.
1ST CHOICE: DRUG TAKE-BACK EVENTS
and Appalachian Voices
Courtesy: Upper Watauga Riverkeeper To dispose of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, call your city or county government’s household trash and recycling service and ask if a drug take-back program is available in your community. Some counties hold household hazardous waste collection days, where prescription and over-the-counter drugs are accepted at a central location for proper disposal.
Drug Take-Back Event
2ND CHOICE: HOUSEHOLD DISPOSAL STEPS*
1. Take your prescription drugs out of their original containers.
2. Mix drugs with an undesirable substance, such as cat litter or used coffee grounds.
3. Put the mixture into a disposable container with a lid, such as an empty margarine tub, or into a sealable bag.
4. Conceal or remove any personal information, including Rx number, on the empty
containers by covering it with permanent marker or duct tape, or by scratching it off.
5. The sealed container with the drug mixture, and the empty drug containers, can now be placed in the trash.
* Drug Disposal Guidelines, Office of National Drug Control Policy, October 2009 How Proper Disposal of Medicines Protects You and the Earth: Prevents poisoning of children and pets Deters misuse by teenagers and adults Avoids health problems from accidentally taking the wrong medicine, too much of the same medicine, or a medicine that is too old to work well Keeps medicines from entering streams and rivers when poured down the drain or flushed down the toilet
How Improper Disposal of Medicines May End Up
in Our Drinking Water Sources In homes that use septic tanks, prescription and over-the-counter drugs flushed down the toilet can leach into the ground and seep into ground water. In cities and towns where residences are connected to wastewater treatment plants, prescription and over-the-counter drugs poured down the sink or flushed down the toilet can pass through the treatment system and enter rivers and lakes. They may flow downstream to serve as sources for community drink- ing water supplies. Water treatment plants are generally not equipped to routinely remove medicines.
For more information, go to www.epa.gov/ppcp/
Or call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 Office of Water EPA 816-F-11-003 April 2011
Download Full (Ebook) MedNotes: Pocket Drug Guide, Third Edition by Judith Hopfer Deglin ISBN 9780803621398, 9781441662682, 0803621396, 1441662685 PDF All Chapters
