I've been trying to figure out how to dispose of our unwanted and expired prescription drugs for some time. You'd think it would be relatively straight forward. I thought perhaps the pharmacies that sell you all those drugs might have take back programs, but not that I could find. By the way, you should never flush unwanted medications down the toilet or drain as they can end up back in the water supply.
Then yesterday on The Martha Stewart Show there was a segment with Simran Sethi, host of Sundance Channel's The Green, called The Truth About H2O. It was packed with great information, and by following a link to the Environmental Protection Agency on the Martha Stewart website I finally figured out I can take my unwanted medicines to a household hazardous waste collection center or event. Sure, makes sense now but I didn't connect them before.
If you live in the Los Angeles area, here are some S.A.F.E. (Solvents/Automotive/Flammables/Electronics) Permanent Collection Centers.
Another great resource I found was No Drugs Down the Drain, a California public outreach program to alert residents to the problems associated with flushing unwanted medications down the toilet or drain. It also provides information about safe and proper disposal options.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
No Drugs Down the Drain
Posted by Samantha at Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
The pharmacy where I buy my prescription medication will take back expired bottles and dispose of it properly. Also heard this advice... if there is no way to dispose of it properly where you live, mix the drugs in with the used cat litter when you clean the box, and throw it in the garbage. Better in the landfill than down the drain, and mixed with cat litter ensures that no one will find the drugs and use them. Not sure if this advice is supposed to be funny or serious, but it makes some kind of sense!
My neighbor organized a hazmat collection drive this weekend for our street. She collected old batteries and medications and took them to a local collection. Thought this was a great idea.
Post a Comment