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May 2008

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Safe Disposal of Unused Medicine
Photos: U.S. EPA

Do Not Flush!

Individuals should take the following steps to properly dispose of expired or unused medication:

  1. Check with your pharmacy to see if they have a drug take back program.
  2. Find out if there is a special collection for unused and expired drugs in your area.
  3. If a collection program is not available, wrap unwanted medicine and dispose of it in the trash: Do not flush drugs down sink drains or toilet.

Resources available on the Michigan Sea Grant site provide detailed instructions on how to prepare and wrap solid medications such as pills and capsules, and liquid medications.

Contacts

Elizabeth LaPorte
(734) 647-0767
elzblap@umich.edu

Prescription for Clean Water
Michigan Workshop Assists Communities, Pharmacies in Safe Disposal of Unused Medicine

Traces of prescription drugs and other medicines found in municipal water supplies are becoming a growing environmental and public safety concern nationwide.

Nearly 10 years ago, the U.S. Geological Survey found that 80 percent of the streams sampled contained detectable levels of compounds found in common medications. More recently, a study released by the Associated Press in March 2008 found small amounts of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen and acetaminophen in drinking water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas.

While one source of pharmaceutical contamination is medicine that passes through the body unabsorbed, another source is unused medicine that is flushed down sink drains or toilets. New guidelines encourage consumers to practice two simple steps to protect water quality: wrap and trash unused medications and personal care products per local solid waste guidelines. Do not flush!

Michigan Sea Grant, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program (IISG), and the NOAA Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health, sponsored a workshop in April 2008 to promote safe disposal guidelines for unused medicine.

The workshop addressed proper disposal methods, best practices from solid waste facilities and other organizations, and tools to help communities develop pharmaceutical collection programs for the following items:

  • Prescription and over-the-counter medication including cold medicines
  • Medication samples
  • Vitamins
  • Medicated ointments and lotions
  • Inhalers
  • Veterinary medications

Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove or process many of the compounds found in medications, according to the Michigan DEQ.

In a septic system, antibiotics and other medications can destroy beneficial bacteria necessary for the system to operate.

See: Website

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