I help my clients make decisions about what they are ready to part with and what they would like to keep.  It’s always their decision.  But when it comes to expired medications, I feel the need to be more firm (I used to work in the medical field! ). 

Please go through your medications and dispose of ALL expired medicine and DO NOT save partially used bottles of antibiotics for the future!  It’s a bad idea to diagnose yourself and possibly use the wrong medication for your symptoms; let your doctor decide if you need antibiotics and the whole prescription should be used at that time, no left-overs.  Using expired medications is also a bad idea.  Throw it away and spring for the few extra bucks to replace the old stuff-your health is worth it!!

So what do you do with the old and unused medications?  Don’t throw them in the garbage or flush them.

According to Medicine Return, The U.S. Geological Survey tested 139 streams throughout the U.S. for the presence of 95 chemicals in 1999-2000 and found:

• 80% of streams contained 1 + of these chemicals
• 50% of streams contained 7 + chemicals
• 34% of streams contained 10 + chemicals

Of these 95 chemicals:

• 33 are known or suspected to be hormonally active
• 46 are pharmaceutically active (have the ability to affect living matter)

So, what to do? 

• Go to Earth911, click on Hazardous, then click on Medications.  Type in your zip code and find out where you can deliver your unused medications. 
• You can also see if your local pharmacy or hospital has a take-it-back program. 
• Another option may be your local hazardous waste drop off location.

Keep your medicine cabinet and the water supply safe by parting with old medications properly.

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Tags: chemicals, environment, expired medications, hazardous, medication disposal, water supply