PHARMACEUTICALS

Pharmaceuticals, which include both prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs, can be disposed of easily and safely. The best way to dispose of pharmaceuticals is to return the unwanted portion to your pharmacist. Many pharmacists are willing to accept and properly dispose of unwanted pharmaceuticals. The second best alternative is take the drugs to a hazardous household collection center. If a collection center is unavailable, many medicines can be flushed down a toilet connected to a sanitary sewer. NOTE: this excludes chemotherapy drugs, antineoplastic medicines, and shampoos for head lice, which should never be disposed of down a toilet.

If you have a septic tank or lagoon, return your unwanted prescriptions to the pharmacist or take to a household connected to the sanitary sewer. Do not place pills in the trash where children could possibly try them with dire consequences.

Unwanted chemotherapy drugs and antineoplastic medicines should be returned to the pharmacist or the cancer clinic where the drugs were administered or taken to a major hospital for proper disposal. These drugs are extremely toxic.

Some shampoos for head lice contain the insecticide lindane. Therefore, unwanted quantities of these shampoos should be held and stored for hazardous waste collection.

Disposal: Disposable hypodermic syringes and needles are used in many homes to administer medications such as allergy shots and insulin. Improper disposal of the needles can injure waste handlers. Dispose of the hypodermic needles by placing them in a rigid, puncture resistant, leak-proof container. When the container is full, seal it with duct tape and place the container in the trash destined for the sanitary landfill.

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