If you have any old, expired, or otherwise no longer useful drugs, you should get rid of them. However, as you might surmise, improperly disposed of medications pose several risks to people. But did you know that improper disposal of medications can harm the environment as well? Throwing pills, solutions, and other medications in the trash or flushing them down the toilet can contaminate the water, hurt wildlife, and affect the ecosystem. Here are five eco-friendly ways to get rid of expired medications that are both safe and sustainable.
Use Take-Back Programs
One of the safest and most eco-friendly ways to dispose of expired medications is through drug take-back programs. Your local city hall or police department may offer a drug take-back program for the safe and secure disposal of drugs. Pharmacies know the best practices for disposing of unused drugs, so check with your local pharmacy to see if they accept expired meds for disposal.
Follow FDA Guidelines
The FDA provides several handy methods for disposing of medications at home. You can mix most relatively harmless drugs with unappealing substances like dirt, coffee grounds, or cat litter in a sealed plastic bag and throw them in the trash. Some medications have specific disposal instructions, however, so be sure to read the label or consult the FDA’s website about safe and specific ways to eliminate them.
Find Mail-Back Programs
Some pharmaceutical companies offer mail-back programs. They’ll provide a pre-paid mailing envelope you can pack your expired medications into, allowing you to simply drop them in a mailbox. The packages go directly to a disposal facility, making it a convenient and effective option.
Keep in mind that if you do finish your medication before it expires, stay green by recycling the glass, plastic, or metal container it came in. Many medication bottles contain recyclable materials. Be sure to remove any personal information from the labels before recycling.
Those are three eco-friendly ways to get rid of expired medications. Proper disposal of expired medications is essential for protecting our environment, and through these methods, you can dispose of your unused medications safely and responsibly. Living a healthy lifestyle is so much easier on a healthy planet!
