Have you ever wondered what to do with the old bottle of medicine in half? Or did you play the role of guardian for an elderly relative and found more than a few outdated recipes in your home?
Well, getting rid of these unused pharmaceuticals can be difficult, and in some cases, if they are thrown carelessly, it is quite dangerous. Pharmaceutical Waste Services includes pharmaceutical products can be of various forms, including pills, capsules, creams, liquids and aerosols.
Dangers of eliminating drainage
Municipal wastewater treatment systems are not designed to properly disinfect the active ingredients of these drugs from city water, so washing these drugs down the drain is not a safe option.
In addition, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if your home uses a septic tank, prescription or over-the-counter medications that are flushed down the toilet can leak into the ground and seep into the groundwater. In particular, selective antidepressants, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), hormones and contraceptives can have a detrimental effect on the ecosystem of freshwater lakes and bays.
A study by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency showed that “low concentrations of alkylphenols [an ingredient in many spermicides] and antidepressants in water have a marked effect on fish reactions and change reproductive behavior,”
However, storing unused medicine in a bathroom cabinet or in a kitchen cabinet is not the best solution, since accidental poisoning with medicines stored in a house without a guarantee is the second leading cause of death in both children as adults.
Household waste pharmaceutical waste
The EPA recommends a five-step waste disposal process using a recipe. Here are the steps listed below:
1.) Remove all prescription drugs from their original containers.
2.) Place the unused preparation in a plastic bath, for example, in an old margarine container with a lid or in a thick bag with a tight seal.
3.) Mix the drugs inside a plastic container with an unpleasant substance, such as animal litter or coffee grounds.
4.) Hide any personal information that can be printed on empty recipe containers, including your name, address, and RX number, with a marker, clear or completely remove the label, cut it and discard it separately.
5.) Add empty drug containers to the medicine mixture and seal the plastic container (if necessary, use adhesive tape to better seal), now the entire container can be safely placed in the trash can.
Never try to burn pharmaceuticals to get rid of them: fumes can create dioxins and other air pollutants, not to mention the fact that fumes can be toxic if inhaled.
The dangers of eliminating prescription drugs can be mitigated if you have recycling, which goes directly to the incinerator. It is a good idea to follow the five steps above, and then put your pharmaceutical waste in the trash. Even if you don’t know if your garbage goes directly to the incinerator, most state conservation agencies agree that removing the drug in this way is the safest method.
The best way
Although it is not against the law to get rid of household pharmaceuticals in the bin, it can still be harmful. Fortunately, on September 9, 2014, the Anti-Drug Administration (DEA) decided in its authorization to eliminate a controlled substance that prescription drug wastes can be safely disposed of at local pharmacies.
Pharmacies that participate in this return program will create collection vessels for unused medication, so all you need to do is leave your pharmaceutical products in a convenient place near you or go for Medical & Biohazardous Waste Disposal in Missouri. But, if you need to keep your medicines at home for a long time, it is recommended that you mark them and, if possible, block them, any medicines that could harm your trusted family members.
