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 (see the list below).  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.

Statewide “No Drugs Down The Drain” Campaign

From October 4 – 11, MRWPCA is participating in a public education and outreach campaign sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the California State Water Resources Control Board, California Association of Sanitation Agencies, California Water Environment Association and many other organizations to “keep drugs out of the drains.”  You can learn more about the campaign at www.nodrugsdownthedrain.org.

Drop-Off Locations & Pharmacies with Take-Back Programs

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Monterey Peninsula:

Carmel Drug Store
Ocean Ave., Carmel
624-3819

Costco
801 Tioga Ave., Sand City
899-2481

Pharmaca
570 Munras Ave., Ste. 10, Monterey
333-0751

Ordway Pharmacy
499 Alvarado St., Monterey
372-8085

Safeway
2370 N. Fremont Blvd., Del Rey Oaks
372-0342

Salinas Area:

Alisal Drug Store – Bob Souza Pharmacy
323 N. Sanborn Rd., Salinas
424-7321

All Care Pharmacy
331 Main St., Salinas
424-8053

A & O Clinic Pharmacy
610 Romie Ln., Salinas
758-0976

Costco
1339 N. Davis Rd., Salinas
751-0414

Medicine Shoppe
1182 S. Main St., Salinas
424-1953

Nob Hill Foods
1320 S. Main St., Salinas
759-2163

Star Pharmacy
1273 S. Main St., Salinas
422-9004

Sun Street Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
139 Sun Street, Salinas
424-5535