Dispose of unused or expired prescription medication safely this month

[The Gazette]

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and Sumter Community Action Partnership are joining forces as a part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.” This event will give people the chance to dispose or unused or expired prescription medication safely. It will be held at the Villages Walmart located at 4085 Wedgewood

More... (https://www.gazettenewsthevillages.com/dispose-of-unused-or-expired-prescription-medication-safely-this-month/)

[retiredguy123]

"Proper disposal prevents medicine from being stolen or abused. When thrown in the garbage, pharmaceuticals can wind up leeching the environment. While medication flushed down the toilet can contaminate water supply. Operation Medicine Cabinet provides a safe way of destroying pharmaceuticals through incineration, to avoid polluting the environment."

I thought our garbage was incinerated already. And, I don't think medicine flushed down the toilet could contaminate the water supply. That water is fully treated and converted into potable water. Wouldn't it be more effective to just inform people of the best way to dispose of unwanted medicine themselves?

[Stu from NYC]

"Proper disposal prevents medicine from being stolen or abused. When thrown in the garbage, pharmaceuticals can wind up leeching the environment. While medication flushed down the toilet can contaminate water supply. Operation Medicine Cabinet provides a safe way of destroying pharmaceuticals through incineration, to avoid polluting the environment."

I thought our garbage was incinerated already. And, I don't think medicine flushed down the toilet could contaminate the water supply. That water is fully treated and converted into potable water. Wouldn't it be more effective to just inform people of the best way to dispose of unwanted medicine themselves?

Since our garbage is already incinerated why can we not put unwanted pills in the garbage? Either way incineration is incineration.

[Taltarzac725]

Since our garbage is already incinerated why can we not put unwanted pills in the garbage? Either way incineration is incineration.

We probably should not be doing that because it might create dumpster divers here in the Villages looking for goodies in our trash bags as well.

[retiredguy123]

I certainly don't need a federal program to dispose of a few unwanted pills.

[Whatnext]

Take them back to the pharmacy.

[Taltarzac725]

Take them back to the pharmacy.

Would they take them?

[Whatnext]

Never been refused.

[CarlR33]

Interesting reply’s to a solution for getting rid of controlled substances. Controlled substance are called this for a reason they are under your control so if in the trash they could end up not in your control. I know up north several places had drop off mail box like secured depositories normally next to the pharmacy. Google says that here Walgreens, Publix, CVS, police departments and Walmart may have drop offs. Don’t assume flushing them or putting them in the trash does no harm (ever seen a trash dump drop off location the stuff is thrown everywhere?)

[retiredguy123]

Interesting reply’s to a solution for getting rid of controlled substances. Controlled substance are called this for a reason they are under your control so if in the trash they could end up not in your control. I know up north several places had drop off mail box like secured depositories normally next to the pharmacy. Google says that here Walgreens, Publix, CVS, police departments and Walmart may have drop offs. Don’t assume flushing them or putting them in the trash does no harm (ever seen a trash dump drop off location the stuff is thrown everywhere?)
If I was really concerned, I would destroy them rather than handing them over to Sumter County or a federal agency. How about pouring them in a gallon bottle and dissolving them in a non-drinkable liquid or crushing them and mixing them with used coffee grounds?

The website says that flushing pills down the toilet can contaminate the water supply. That is not true.