Graphic courtesy of DC Water
Did you know? Today, October 27, you can safely dispose of all those prescription medications you’ve been storing under the sink or in your medicine cabinet (or empty shoebox, or carriage house, or safe deposit box?… I don’t know where else you’d keep them). Why a special day to dispose of medications? Several reasons:
- Some prescriptions can contaminate water (even more) and endanger marine, riparian and estuarine species
- Improperly disposing prescriptions can end up in the wrong hands and foment illicit drug trade
- It can also cause accidental ingestion and possible overdose. (we don’t like thinking our pets riffle through garbage. Narrator: “They do.”)
Now that you know why you shouldn’t be tossing that old Sudafed in the garbage or the toilet, you can go to this special DEA portal and enter your zip code so you know where you can take your old prescription drugs tomorrow. You can also go to DC Water’s portal Protect Your Pipes and find out more information.
Can’t make it today? Follow these instructions, per DC Water:
- Take your prescription drugs out of their original containers.
- Mix drugs with an undesirable substance, such as cat litter or used coffee grounds.
- Put mixture into a disposable container that can be sealed, like a plastic bag.
- Conceal or remove any personal information on empty containers, including Rx number, by covering it with permanent marker or by scratching it off.