Disposal  of Medicines, Vitamins and
          Other  Supplements  Properly  in
                      Frederick County
            Do you have unwanted or expired prescriptions,
       over-the-counter medicines, or supplements in your home?
                         im Down the Drain unless Noted Differently on the
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                                          ££

Proper Disposal of Unwanted Medicines, Vitamins and Other Supplements:
Do not flush medicines,  Remove or conceal
vitamins or other
supplements down
toilet or pour them
down drain unless
noted on packaging.
personal information
and Rx number using
black marker.
Put undesirable
substance such as used
coffee grounds or cat
litter into disposable
container with lid (or
plastic bag). Mix the
medicine or supple-
ment with undesirable
substance.
Seal medicine mixture
with lid or inside
plastic bag. Dispose
mixture and medicine
container in trash.
Close or tie trash bag.
Take trash bag out to
garbage as close to
garbage pick up time
as possible.
 "HOERIC" 5OUMTT
 Department
 "Aging
                                                              United States
                                                              Environmental Protection
                                                              Agency
             For more information on Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products and a link to
           the Federal prescription drug disposal guidelines, go to: www.epa.gov/waterscience/ppcp/
                                                                  816-F-09-012

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For  A  Healthy  Earth
Dispose Safely of Unwanted Prescription and Over-the-Counter
Medicines, Vitamins and Other Supplements Properly
                                                        7
Do not flush medicines, vitamins and other supplements down the toilet

unless noted differently on the medicine's packaging.

Some medicines, vitamins and other supplements poured down the drain or flushed down the toilet
may pass through wastewater treatment plants. They may enter lakes, rivers and streams which are
often used as sources for community drinking water supplies. Water treatment plants are generally
not equipped to routinely remove medicines and supplements.

DISPOSAL OF MEDICINE, VITAMINS AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTS PROPERLY CAN HELP:

• Prevent unintentional poisoning of children and pets
• Prevent misuse by teenagers and adults, even people you know
• Prevent health problems from accidentally taking the wrong medicine,
  too much of the same medicine, or a medicine that is too old to work well
• Prevent medicines and supplements from  entering streams and rivers
  when poured down the drain or flushed down the toilet
         You can get rid of your unwanted or expired medicines, vitamins and other supplements
         properly and keep them out of the Potomac River by following the steps on the other side.
 If you have questions, call Frederick County Department of Aging at (301) 600-1605, the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
                    800-426-4791 or send an e-mail to: info_aging@epa.gov

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