Looking to get rid of some expired medication or a bottle of pills you aren’t using anymore?
The best method is using a drop-off box (in some drugstores and police stations) or a local “take back” event (learn more at dea.gov/takebackday). But if that’s not practical for you, the Food and Drug Administration says most medications can be thrown out in your trash – if done safely and properly.
Here’s how:
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- Take the medicine out of its original container. Mix it with coffee grounds, cat litter, dirt or some other substance that makes the medicine look “unrecognizable to someone who might intentionally go through the trash looking for drugs.”
- Put the mixture into a resealable storage bag, an empty can or other container to prevent it from leaking.
- Throw it away in your trash bin.
- On the medicine’s original container, scratch out or use a black marker to cover your personal information. Then, throw it away.
Some meds can be disposed of in a sink or toilet, but you need to make sure the FDA says it’s OK. On its website, the agency has a list of medicines that can be flushed. If your medication isn’t on the list, don’t flush it.
If you have questions about safely disposing of your medicine, ask a health care professional or your local pharmacist.
