Medicine & Pharmaceutical Waste

Old pills down the toilet or in the bin can reach water and soil. Return them instead — it is the safe, simple choice.

Unused or expired medicines contain active ingredients that harm wildlife and water systems if they leak out. They also risk being taken by children or misused if left in the home.

The Right Move

• Return unwanted medicine to a pharmacy take-back point or collection bin.
• Keep them in original packaging so staff can identify and handle them.
• Never flush tablets or pour liquids down the drain.

Why It Matters

Pharmacies and hazardous-waste collections recover or destroy medicines safely, keeping drugs out of the environment and the wrong hands. It pairs with our hazardous waste guide as a "never the normal bin" rule.

Related Reading

See hazardous household waste, medical & infectious waste, and battery disposal.

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