Disposing of expired meds

mrs.forrister

What is the best way to dispose of expired prescriptions/medication?  It's time to clean out the medicine cabinet, but I'm not sure what is the best way to get rid of it.

Mrs Manners

I've seen several people post that CVS has a return container or area where they'll take them and dispose of them properly. Just ask the pharmacist at CVS.

Mrs Manners

BTW - your dogs are adorable and you're right around the corner from me (we're in Cumming)!

mrs.forrister

Mrs Manners:

BTW - your dogs are adorable and you're right around the corner from me (we're in Cumming)!

Thanks!  Yep, not too far from us.  I'll give CVS a call.

MontereyBride

I send mine down the garbage disposal.

CDMay2006

MontereyBride:

I send mine down the garbage disposal.

It is best not to do this: it puts it right into the water supply. 

TPOX

http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/pdf/prescrip_disposal.pdf

 

bchippie

Our local pharmacy has a bin you can put them in.  Like pp pointed out, not a good idea to put down the sink, toilet or garbage disposal....  they end up in the water supply and don't really get treated.

Val&B0604

I asked at CVS a few weeks ago, they told me to dissolve in rubbing alcohol add to kitty litter and dispose in regular trash.

MontereyBride

Val&B0604:

I asked at CVS a few weeks ago, they told me to dissolve in rubbing alcohol add to kitty litter and dispose in regular trash.

Good to know.. I'll get a couple scoops of kitty litter from a friend. A pharmacist told me to do the garbage disposal thing a few years ago but it makes sense it's not a good idea. Thanks!

TarponMonoxide

tesst

Alisha_A

Val&B0604:

I asked at CVS a few weeks ago, they told me to dissolve in rubbing alcohol add to kitty litter and dispose in regular trash.

Yeah, like I'm really doing that!

I'd just try another pharmacy.

curlydoglover

Call your local municipality or county.  Many of them run household hazardous waste disposal events.  Ours had their medication drop off this past weekend.

Jen&Joe06

I don't know why I would try to find ways to dispose of it at home when I can simply drop them off at the pharmacy.

ksdk

I remove the label and throw the bottle in the garbage with the safety lid on. It keeps them away from my kids and out of the water supply.  I didn?t know about the ?kitty litter/coffee grind in a plastic bag? idea and would add coffee grinds to make them unappealing to an unintended user. But as far as the plastic bag goes, either way a plastic bag or bottle is going in the landfill, do you think one is better than the other?