Proper Disposal of Household Prescriptions and Over-the-counter Drugs
Do NOT Flush or Pour Unwanted, Unused or Expired Medications down the Drain
This includes expired and unused prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs.
Why Not Flush?
- Flushed medications can get into our lakes, rivers and streams
Pharmaceuticals enter our wastewater from a variety of sources including the flushing of unused medications. A nationwide study done in 1999 and 2000 by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) found low levels of drugs such as antibiotics, hormones, contraceptives and steroids in 80% of the rivers and streams tested.
Research has shown that continuous
exposure to low levels of medications
has altered the behavior and physiology
of fish and aquatic organisms - Fish and other aquatic wildlife are being adversely affected
A number of studies have shown impacts on aquatic life. For example, male fish have been feminized (produced eggs) when exposed to hormones (birth control pills). Other drugs, such as anti-depressants and beta-blockers, reduce fertility or affect spawning in certain aquatic organisms. - Drug-resistant bacteria might develop
Long-term exposure to low levels of antibiotics might result in the evolution of, or selection for, drug-resistant microbes and bacteria.
How To Dispose Of Drugs Safely:
For pharmacists:
Poster (PDF, 1.01 Mb) for display at pharmacies
Guidance (PDF, 21 Kb) for proper display of poster
Safe Disposal (PDF, 31 Kb)
For Households and Individual Consumers
Where available, take your medications to a local collection event.
Contact your local pharmacy, recycling coordinator, or municipality to find out if there is a household hazardous waste collection* near you. While waiting for a collection event, keep all medications in a safe, secure place in your home out of reach of children.
* Important information regarding controlled substances:
To guard against unauthorized use of controlled substance medications, the NYS Department of Health must approve events that collect these substances. Before you take controlled substances to a collection event check with the event organizers to see if they are authorized to accept them.
If there is no collection event in your area, dispose of drugs in your household trash.
Before placing in the trash, follow these steps:
A portion of prescription and over-the-
counter medications will not be used
and if flushed or poured down the drain,
can end up in our rivers and streams
- To avoid accidental or intentional misuse of drugs, treat medications (liquids and pills) by adding water and then salt, ashes, dirt, cat litter, coffee grounds, or another undesirable substance.
- Hide all medications in an outer container, such as sealable bag, box or plastic tub to prevent discovery and removal from the trash. Seal the container with strong tape.
- Dispose of drugs as close to your trash collection day as possible to avoid misuse and/or misdirection.
- Do not conceal discarded drugs in food to prevent consumption by scavenging humans, pets or wildlife.
Note: Be careful in handling medications. Some drugs can cause harm if handled by people other than those to whom they were prescribed. Also, avoid crushing pills as some medications can be harmful in powder form.
Medications self-administered by injection with a needle or "sharp" may be disposed of in the trash.
If such medications include an attached needle, they should be placed in a puncture proof container, sealed with tape and labeled as "sharps." However, the state strongly recommends that medications with attached needles be disposed of at hospital-based household sharps collection programs. All hospitals in New York State (except for federal facilities) are required to collect sharps from households.
Medications without attached needles may be disposed of in household trash as described above.
Additional Resources
(see right column links)
Saturday June 6th, 2009 9:30 AM to 3 PM
North Hempstead Solid Waste Management Authority
802 West Shore Road, Port washington, NY
For More Information: Call: 516-526-2572 or email Frances Reid at reidf@northhempstead.com
NYS DEC:
Press release: DEC Tells New Yorkers: Don't Flush Medications
Pharmaceuticals in Our Waters: An Emerging Concern
Pharmaceuticals as Emerging Contaminants: A Rationale for Reduction in New York State's Waters
United States Geological Survey:
Emerging Contaminants in the Environment
Pharmaceuticals, Hormones and Other Organic Wastewater Contaminants in U.S. Streams
United States Environmental Protection Agency:
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products as Pollutants
Indiana-Illinois Sea Grant College Program:
Disposal of Unwanted Medicines: A Resource for Action in Your Community
The Drug Take-Back Network
A centralized source of information on drug take-back programs and disposal issues across the country. Offers help to consumers looking for safe ways to dispose of unwanted pharmaceuticals
More about Proper Disposal of Household Prescriptions and Over-the-counter Drugs:
- FAQs About Proper Disposal of Drugs - Questions about the human health issues and environmental impacts of pharmaceuticals in surface waters and safe disposal methods
- What DEC and Others are Doing to Reduce Drugs in Surface Waters - Describes what actions DEC and other states and organizations are taking to reduce the amount of medications that are disposed of improperly
