DEP: Disposing of Prescription Medicines and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Products
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Connecticut 375th Annniversary 1635-2010

 
 
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Hartford, CT 06106-5127
 
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Disposing of Prescription Medicines and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Products

Do not flush prescription medicines or OTC products down the sink or toilet!

Although using the toilet or sink prevents someone from accidentally taking the medications, disposing of them in this way causes water pollution and has adverse effects on septic systems, sewage treatment plants, fish and other aquatic wildlife. Trace amounts of all kinds of drugs have also been found in some drinking water supplies because they pass through septic systems and sewage plants untreated.

Medicines cannot be brought to Household Hazardous Waste collections. Some towns or pharmacies occasionally offer special collections where residents can bring prescription medicines, veterinary medicines and over-the-counter products. But they are not regularly scheduled and are sometimes limited to residents of the sponsoring town. 

If you cannot bring your medicines to a special collection, the best way to dispose of medicines and OTC products, is to follow the disposal instructions and put them in the trash.

In CT, most of our trash is burned at Resource Recovery Facilities at very high temperatures that destroy these products. By following the disposal instructions, you will protect your privacy, discourage unintended consumption of the drugs and protect our water. (Remember to follow these instructions for any pet medications you have, too.)

Note: Schools that want to dispose of controlled substances should call the Drug Control Division of the CT Dept. of Consumer Protection for assistance at 860-713-6065.     
 
See the quick reference chart below for disposal instructions for these medical supplies: ampoules, vials, & IV bags, chemotherapy drugs, mercury thermometers and sharps (needles and lancets).

More Pollution Prevention Tips For Reducing The Need for Medicine and OTC Disposal

  • If possible, ask your doctor to give you a smaller amount of a prescription or a sample of a drug that you are taking for the first time to see if it works for you. This may save you money and will also eliminate the need for throwing the drug away if it doesn’t work for you. Do the same for animal prescriptions.
  • Look at the expiration date on over-the-counter products. Will you be able to use all of it before the product expires? If not, maybe a smaller amount will do.
  • Look into mail-back programs for sharps.  The Sustainable Hospitals website has a list of companies that provide sharps containers or check with your local hospital.

Note: The DEP does not endorse any products. Contact vendors directly to purchase a product or to obtain more information.

Quick Reference Chart For Disposal Of Medical Supplies

 Products
 
Best Way To Dispose
 
 
  • Do not empty or open the bags.
  • Wrap the container with tape to minimize breakage, then place in an opaque plastic container (such as an empty yogurt or margarine tub).
  • Wrap the outside of the container or bag with additional duct or shipping tape to prevent leakage to further obscure the contents.
  • Dispose of the container in the trash. DO NOT put the container in your recycling bin! 
 
  • Some chemotherapy drugs may have special disposal requirements. Ask your health care provider about proper disposal.
 
 
  • Place in a puncture-proof, hard plastic container with a screw-on cap, like a bleach or detergent bottle
  • Seal the container with the original lid and wrap with duct tape.
  • Place the tightly sealed container in a bag and put it in your trash. DO NOT put the container in your recycling bin!
  • As an alternative, look into mail back programs or check with your local hospital.
 
 
 
Last updated October 2009.






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