In honor of Earth Day, make sure you’re disposing of medications properly

Did you know that in 2019 up to 200 pharmaceuticals were detected in the surface water, ground water and drinking water in the U.S., according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development? Unfortunately, conventional wastewater treatment plants are not designed nor equipped to fully remove pharmaceuticals, which is how these substances end up in ground and surface water.

To celebrate Earth Day this year, learn what you can do to dispose of medications properly and help prevent these potent chemicals from polluting the environment.

While 61% of Americans are concerned about flushed painkillers polluting drinking water and public waterways, 1 out of 4 admit to flushing leftover prescriptions down the drain, and another 25% reported throwing unused medications in the trash, according to a study by Stericycle. If you are concerned about the environment, you can be part of the solution by taking advantage of new ways to safely dispose of unused medications.

Here are practical do’s and don’ts to follow when discarding old medications or other household drugs: