Have you ever wondered what to do with your prescription drugs when you are not taking them anymore? Many people think it is okay to dispose of them any way they choose, such as in the trash, down the drain or even flushing them down the toilet. Correct disposal of prescription drugs is a crucial tool for everyone to understand. ER Services of Charlotte strives to educate its customers by providing useful tips each day, like why you should never flush prescription drugs down the sink or toilet.
Harmful Effects of Flushing Prescription Drugs Down the Sink or Toilet
Handling prescription medication is a very important tip to know. If you flush medication down your sink or toilet, these medications can show up in streams or rivers containing waste water. Sewage systems are not capable of filtering out and getting rid of residual pharmaceuticals with a water treatment facility and it is then released into our oceans, rivers and lakes. Small amounts of prescription drugs are even found in tap water.
How do I Dispose of Prescription Drugs?
Something that the doctors and pharmacists rarely tell their patients and customers is how to properly dispose of prescription medication. Here is a step by step guide to properly disposing of medications.
- Keep medication in the original bottle/container and scratch off or mark through any personal information on the label.
- Pour some water onto pills and add something nontoxic but also unpalatable (like cayenne pepper, charcoal or kitty litter) to deter animals.
- Close the bottle and secure the lid with duct tape.
- Place the bottle/container in a box or a paper bag to disguise the medication.
- Place the medication in the trash as close to pick up time as possible.
Alternative Ways to Dispose of Prescription Drugs
If you are still uneasy about disposing of your own prescriptions, check with your pharmacy for take-back program details. They often take medications back from patients to dispose of. Also, your local Household Hazardous Waste Collection site will take medications and their contact information can be found in the telephone directory or on your town or county website. If you can, help reduce the amount of medication being disposed of by asking your doctor to prescribe you a short term trial of a medication instead of a full month’s supply and always remember to take all of your medication as directed by your doctor and pharmacist.
Need Charlotte Plumbing Services?
Are you interested in more information about a Charlotte plumbing company?
Looking to call a Charlotte emergency plumber?
Need assistance or advice regarding drain clearing?
E.R. Services is open 24/7, 365 days a year. You don’t need to take time off work or wait until the morning because we never charge extra for nights or weekends. Just give us a call at 704-269-1066 or use our online contact form.
Learn more about Charlotte residential plumber here.
Charlotte Plumbing Services at Your Service
Serving the Charlotte metro area, including Charlotte suburbs. Looking for Charlotte plumbing services? Matthews plumbing services? We’ll get the job done now and the job done right. 30+ years experience, fully staffed and committed to customer satisfaction.
Winner of Angie's List 2014 Super Service Award
Article Summary
Quick question & answer: Can I flush prescription drugs down the sink or toilet?
No, you should not flush prescription drugs down the sink or toilet under any circumstances. Doing such could result in the medications showing up in streams or rivers containing wastewater. Sewage systems aren’t capable of filtering out and getting rid of residual pharmaceuticals with a water treatment facility before release into oceans, rivers, and lakes.
