Disposal of unneeded prescription drugs

The common disposal practices used for unneeded drugs are throwing them into the garbage of flushing them down the drain. These practices can lead to abuse or water pollution.

Unused drugs thrown in the trash can be picked out and abused. Abuse of prescription drugs to get high has become increasingly prevalent among teens and young adults.

Flushing down the drain can pollute water because treatment plants are not designed to remove them.

While EPA continues to research the effects of pharmaceuticals in water sources, one thing is clear: improper drug disposal is a prescription for environmental and societal concern,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “Following these new guidelines will protect our Nation’s waterways and keep pharmaceuticals out of the hands of potential abusers.”

The new Federal prescription drug disposal guidelines urge Americans to:
* Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers.
* Mix the prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, like used coffee grounds or kitty litter, and put them in impermeable, non-descript containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags, further ensuring that the drugs are not diverted or accidentally ingested by children or pets.
* Throw these containers in the trash.
* Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only if the accompanying patient information specifically instructs it is safe to do so.
* Return unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs to pharmaceutical take-back locations that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for safe disposal.

For more information, see Disposal of Prescription Drugs