It is that time of year when most people are cleaning out cabinets and closets to get organized for the new year. Some people find that not only have their spices expired, but so have their medications or they simply did not finish all of that antibiotic the doctor prescribed. While those expired spices can simply be put in the kitchen trash, those medications may not. For years, we have been told to flush them in the toilet so that children and pets do not accidentally get into them. However, in recent years we have been advised to NOT FLUSH medications or pour them down your sink drains because it contaminates our waterways & environment.
So, if you cannot FLUSH unused medication down the toilet, what do you do with them?
Here are several options:
- Contact your local pharmacy to ask if they have a drug take-back or collection program.
- Contact your local community to find out if they will have a household hazardous collection event coming up soon.
- San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS) has a program called “MedDropSA”. See the SAWS website for more info on this program https://www.saws.org/meddrop-jan-25/ . The next “MedDropSA” event coming up is:
January 25, 2020
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Rigsby Bulky Drop Off Center
2755 Rigsby Road, 78222
- If you live here in Converse, the Converse Police Station located at 402 S Seguin St has a collection bin located in their station lobby. This collection bin has 24/7 access to safely dispose of your unused medications. See the City of Converse website for more info, https://www.conversetx.net/
Lastly, if you are unable to dispose of your unwanted medications a last resort option is to take your prescription drugs out of their original containers. Mix drugs with an undesirable substance, such as cat litter or used coffee grounds. For liquid medications, you may want to mix with an absorbent material such as flour or cat litter to help discourage misuse or unintentional use of the medication if it’s found and opened.
So to answer the question… To Flush or Not to Flush? When it comes to prescription medication Do Not Flush! This will ensure our waterways and environment stays safe!