Safe Medication Disposal

Proper disposal of unused prescription and over-the-counter medications is important to protect both people and the environment.

Unused prescription and over-the-counter medications that remain in the home can cause serious harm to people if they are taken accidently, intentionally misused or inappropriately given to someone else. 

• Among teens in the United States, prescription and over-the-counter medications were the most commonly abused drugs, after marijuana.
• Almost 60% of twelfth graders who misused prescription narcotic medications said they were given to them by a friend or relative.

Protect the Environment…

Unused medications that are flushed down the toilet or poured down the sink can enter the water supply. Low levels of various drugs have been found in lakes, rivers and streams. Fish and other wildlife that live in the water are being harmed. There is also concern that drug-resistant bacteria may develop because of long-term exposure to low levels of antibiotics.

How to dispose of drugs safely:

• Do not flush medications down the toilet
• Do not pour medications down the sink
• Safe drug disposal options: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/67720.html
• Take medications to a scheduled medication collection event:
  • Household medication collection schedule for New York State: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/63826.html 
  • CLICK HERE for information on the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative and scheduled events

More online resources:

• The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has a website with additional information about safe medication disposal: www.dontflushyourdrugs.net 
• Safe drug disposal options for households www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/67720.html.html 
• Frequently asked questions about proper disposal of drugs www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/45189.html