How to dispose of pharmaceuticals
Most households have medications that are no longer taken, are old, have expired, or were used by someone who is deceased. It is not good to flush these down the drain. Treatment facilities do not remove medicines from waste water. Many of these medications contain harmful compounds. Microconstituents, like synthetic estrogen, are endocrine disruptors that can interfere with the hormone processes in wildlife. Sedatives can affect central nervous system activity. Antibiotics can lead to antibiotic-resistant strains of harmful bacteria.
It is important to dispose of unwanted medications properly. Flushing expired or unwanted medicine down the drain may harm San Francisco Bay and the aquatic species that depend on Bay Area waters. Here are three alternatives:
- Check with your pharmacy or the pharmacy where the prescription was filled. Many pharmacies now have pharmaceutical take-back programs for expired and unwanted medications. If your pharmacy does not have a take-back program, the staff will likely know the location of one nearby.
- There are two facilities in Contra Costa County that accept household medications for proper disposal free of charge.
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Contra Costa County Household Hazardous Waste | West County Resource Recovery 101 Pittsburg Avenue Richmond, CA 94801 |
510.412.4500 or 888.412.9277 |
| Delta HHW Collection Facility (East County) | Delta HHW Collection Facility 2550 Pittsburg-Antioch Highway Antioch, CA 94509 |
925-756-1990 |
| Elephant Pharm | 1388 S. California Blvd Walnut Creek, CA 94596 |
925-658-5301 |
- Unwanted medication disposed in the trash can be stolen and misused, potentially resulting in death or illness. If other disposal methods are not available, pharmacists recommend dissolving liquid and solid medications in water, then mixing them with coffee or kitty litter before sealing them in a plastic bag to be collected with the trash.
