Proper Disposal of Unused Pharmaceuticals

Recent reports of trace levels of pharmaceutical compounds in our nation’s drinking water supplies have raised awareness of water quality protection.  State and federal agencies are now recommending the medical wastes should hot be flushed down the drain.

Residents are being asked to properly dispose their old medications.  The Monterey County Health Department, Monterey Regional Waste Management District, Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority and the MRWPCA agree the best solution to safely dispose pharmaceutical wastes is to return to your pharmacy and ask them to take them back.

1. Return them to a pharmacy with a take-back program. List of pharmacies (PDF). If no pharmacies near you currently participate in a take-back program then properly dispose in the garbage following #2 below.

2. Follow  White House Drug Policy for disposing medical wastes in the trash.  Remove the medicines from the original container and mix them with an unpleasant waste material, such as used kitty litter, ashes or coffee grounds.  Then place the mixture in an impermeable container such as a sealable bag before discarding in the trash.