Dispose of Medicines, Vitamins and
Other Supplements Properly
Do you have unwanted or expired prescriptions,
-roi infer medicines, or supplements in your home?
Iffij
Do not flush
medicines, vitamins
or other
supplements down
toilet or pour
them down drain
unless noted on
packaging.
Remove or conceal
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 supplement
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.
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-10-053
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A Healthy Earth
Safely Dispose of Unwanted Prescription and Over-the-Counter
Medicines, Vitamins and Other Supplements Properly
"
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 exp ired medicines, vitamins and other
supplements properly and keep them out of the water supply by following the
steps on the other side.
If you have questions, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791
816-F-10-053
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