Medications
updated: Monday, February 27, 2012Medications include expired or unwanted prescription or over-the-counter medications from households.
Why are they a Problem?
Medications have traditionally been disposed of by flushing them down the toilet or a drain. Although this method of disposal prevents immediate accidental ingestion, it can cause pollution in wastewater, which has been demonstrated to cause adverse effects to fish and other aquatic wildlife. When the water is eventually reused, it can also cause unintentional human exposure to chemicals in medications.
Proper Disposal of Medications
Most household medications can be placed in the garbage - not your recycling bin. Do not flush medications down the toilet or drain unless the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs you to do so. For information on drugs that should be flushed in order to get rid of them immediately, visit the FDA’s website.
Follow these precautions to prevent accidental or intentional ingestion.
1. Keep the medication in its original package.
The labels may contain safety information and the caps are often childproof. On prescriptions, scratch the patient’s name or write over it with a permanent marker.
2. Modify the medication to discourage consumption.
- Solid medications: add a small amount of water to pills or capsules to at least partially dissolve them.
- Liquid medications: add enough table salt, flour, charcoal, or nontoxic powdered spice, such as turmeric or mustard to make a pungent, unsightly mixture that discourages anyone from eating it.
- For blister packs, drug patches, creams, unused ampoules, vial and IV bags: wrap the package in multiple layers of duct or other opaque tape to prevent leakage and obscure the contents.
3. Seal and conceal.
Wrap the medication container in packing or duct tape, and then place it inside a non-transparent bag or container to ensure that the contents cannot be seen. Do not conceal medicines in food products because they could be inadvertently consumed by wildlife scavengers.
4. Discard the container in your garbage can—do not place it in your recycling bin.
Chemotherapy drugs may require special handling. Work with your health care provider on proper disposal for this type of medication.
Additional Resources
Phone Numbers
Garbage & Yardwaste
(763) 783-5423
Recycling
(651) 222-7678
Solid Waste Program
(952) 924-2555