Sounds of tomperry

Paris, France

Date from

Date to

About

Pharmaceuticals have made their way into the world's waterways. Trace amounts of antibiotics, painkillers, hormones, antidepressants and other medicines are polluting streams all over the world. The same medicines that help humans are now harming fish and wildlife. For example, studies have shown that fish are developing reproductive abnormalities due to exposure to estrogen from ED pills. Discarded antibiotics may contribute to drug resistance.

Follow the disposal instructions on the medication container or ask your pharmacist. In addition, take these steps for safe and environmentally friendly disposal of your medications:

Reduce, don't produce. Try to keep less medication on hand in the first place. Only buy an amount of pain relievers (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) that you will use. Don't buy these pills in bulk to save money if you won't use them up before they expire. If you are given antibiotics, finish the entire course as prescribed by your doctor.
Find a place for your waste. Talk to your pharmacist about the right way to dispose of your medical waste. He or she may be able to dispose of your unused pills. There may be a designated hazardous waste disposal place in your area or a disposal event coming up soon. Check with your state Department of Environmental Protection. Look in your local government blue pages under "environmental health" or "public works" for local listings of hazardous waste disposal sites. These sites may also accept needles and sharps, mercury thermometers, cosmetics and lotions and other personal care products.
Crush, don't flush. People were once told to flush medications down the toilet. But wastewater treatment plants can't process pharmaceuticals. Pills flushed down the toilet or liquid meds poured down the drain reach freshwater habitats and harm fish and wildlife. There are exceptions, however. The FDA recommends that certain strong pain killers be flushed when expired so that they can be removed immediately from the house. This is to protect children and others from accidental ingestion and overdosage or death.

You can make the medication less appealing to curious children or pets and unrecognizable to someone who may be going through your trash. If there is no pharmaceutical waste site or event in your area, follow these steps:

Crush solid medicines or dissolve them in water before you throw them in the trash.
Dilute liquid medications with water.
Mix the crushed or dissolved medicine with an undesirable substance. Used coffee grounds, kitty litter or sawdust will work.
Place the muddy mix or liquid into a plastic bag and seal before you place it into a solid waste disposal container away from children or pets.
Don't burn unused pharmaceuticals. This can release dangerous fumes.

Recycle. Look for the recycle symbol on empty plastic pill containers and liquid medication bottles. If it's there, put the bottle into a recycling bin.

Protect your identity. Remove the label or any identifying label from all containers before you throw them out.

Finally, don't keep medicine after it has expired. Expired drugs may have lost their effectiveness. In some cases, they can become toxic. Follow the above steps to discard your pharmaceuticals safely.

Follow the disposal instructions on the medication container or ask your pharmacist. In addition, take these steps for safe and environmentally friendly disposal of your medications:

Recycle. Look for the recycle symbol on empty plastic pill containers and liquid medication bottles. If it's there, put the bottle into a recycling bin.

Protect your identity. Remove the label or any identifying label from all containers before you throw them out.

Member since: 6 years

Support this artist