Hi Neighbor,
At our house there are long expired medicines. These include over the counter as well as prescriptions from all of us, pets included, taking up real estate in our cabinet and closet. It’s spring-cleaning time and I’m focused on reclaiming that space. How can these be disposed of responsibly?
I thought long-expired pills could be tossed in the garbage as long as plastic containers made it into recycling. Luckily, I did some research and oops, that’s not cool. Neither is flushing them or dissolving them in the sink (which I didn’t consider), polluting the environment, contaminating ecosystems and potentially entering the food chain creating threats to public health. Especially dangerous is uninformed disposing of antimicrobial meds (like penicillin, amoxicillin, tetracycline) which could result in superbugs developing.
Interestingly, it’s fairly simple to limit medication waste and dispose of it properly with the guidance of The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Saturday April 26 from 10AM – 2PM. Since it started in 2010, this program continues to educate and help dispose of more than131,000 pounds of unused medicines and pills in Montgomery County alone.
Hundreds of locations are participating, waiting for medicine drop-offs, including Radnor, Lower Merion, Narberth, Easttown, Tredyffrin and Haverford Police Departments and select CVS locations. Nearby drop-off locations: Questions? 1-800-882-9539
Drop off:
- Over-the-counter medications
- Prescription medications
- Prescription patches
- Prescription ointments
- Inhalers and nasal sprays
- Vitamins
- Pet medicines
- Vaping products with batteries removed
Regulations don’t allow for the disposal of hydrogen peroxide, needles, liquid meds, iodine containing medications, injectable solutions and illicit drugs.
Other tips include: keep the meds in their original bottle or inside a small zip-lock bag, remove personal info or mark over with permanent marker.
I’m hoping that the newly emptied space in the medicine cabinet and closet will stay empty and we’ll stay healthy without needing to re-stock. Spring cleaning feels really good. I’m tackling a long overdue project, creating more space, avoiding possible medicine mix-ups and doing it responsibly.
Mindful spring cleaning,
Jane
Prescription Drug Drop-off locations
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Radnor Pharmacy
250 King of Prussia Road / Room 202
Radnor, Pennsylvania, 19087
Radnor Township Police Department
M-F 8-4
301 Iven Avenue
Wayne, Pennsylvania, 19097
610-688-0503
Haverford Township Police Department
1010 Darby Road
Havertown, Pennsylvania, 19083
610-853-1298
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – Middleman Family Pavilion campus
9:00am – 9:00pm
Nicholas DeChico
550 S. Goddard Boulevard
King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania, 19406
Easttown Police Department
566 Beaumont Rd
Devon, Pennsylvania, 19333
610-341-9780
Tredyffrin Township Police Dept.
M-F 6:30am-10:00pm or call an officer will come into department
Supt. Anthony Giaimo
1100 Duportail Road
Berwyn, Pennsylvania, 19312
610-644-3221
Lower Merion Township Police Department
M-F 7:30-5:00
Superintendent Michael J McGrath
71 East Lancaster Ave.
Ardmore, Pennsylvania, 19003
610-649-1000
CVS PHARMACY ARDMORE
317 W. Lancaster Ave.
Ardmore, Pennsylvania, 19003
Narberth Police Dept.
Sgt. R.E. Yantorno, Jr.
100 Conway Avenue
Narberth, Pennsylvania, 19072
40.004854, -75.264551
610-649-1000
