Safe At-Home Medication Disposal
It’s Not Destroyed if it’s not Deterra®. Our solution is the only independently tested and environmentally sound system to permanently destroy prescription and over the counter pills, patches, liquids, creams and films. Powered by proprietary activated carbon, Deterra’s patented products are simple, safe and can be used at home or in a clinical setting.
Destroy Drugs – Not the Environment
Permanently destroy prescription and over the counter medications in three simple steps from the comfort of home. Made with non-toxic materials, the easy-to-use Deterra Pouches are proven to deactivate medication in a safe, environmentally sound way. Deterra’s Plant-Based Pouches are USDA Certified, 50% or more bio-based, and have earned the I’m green™ plastic certification.
Deterra Medium Pouch (MP)
Each Pouch Deactivates:
Pills / Films: 45 OR
Patches: 6 OR
Liquids / Creams: 6 oz / 180 mL
Units Per Case: 200
Deterra Large Pouch (LP)
Each Pouch Deactivates:
Pills / Films: 90 OR
Patches: 12 OR
Liquids / Creams: 12 oz / 360 mL
Units Per Case: 100
Deterra Extra Large Pouch (XL)
Each Pouch Deactivates:
Pills / Films: 450 OR
Patches: 60 OR
Liquids / Creams: 60 oz / 1.8 L
Units Per Case: 20
Deterra Small Pouch (SP)
Each Pouch Deactivates:
Pills / Films: 15 OR
Patches: 2 OR
Liquids / Creams: 2 oz / 60 mL
Units Per Case: 250
INTERESTED IN PURCHASING CASE QUANTITIES?
Our products are now available to order case quantities online. Create a business account to see case quantity pricing for Deterra Pouches, containers and more.
Contain the Drug Abuse Crisis
Deterra continual use containers are the only proven solution for bulk disposal of unwanted or unused medication in clinical and public settings. The three-step process permanently deactivates ingredients and renders medication inert so they can’t be accidentally ingested, stolen, abused or leaked into our ecosystem.
Deterra Multi-Purpose 2.5 Gallon Container
Each Container Deactivates:
Pills / Films: 2,500 OR
Patches: 250 OR
Liquids / Creams: 2.5 L / 84 oz
Units Per Case: 2
Deterra Liquids Only 1.0 Gallon Container
Each Container Deactivates:
Liquids: 3 L / 100 oz
Units Per Case: 4
Deterra Multi-Purpose 1.0 Gallon Container
Each Container Deactivates:
Pills / Films: 1,000 OR
Patches: 100 OR
Liquids / Creams: 1 L / 34 oz
Units Per Case: 4
Complete Your Medication Disposal System with our Accessories
Accessories for Deterra products include convenient wall mounts, safe locks, and lock boxes to secure Deterra Containers as well as consumer education pieces and retail easels to display in your pharmacy or clinic.
Deterra Lock Box – Liquids Only (1.0 Gallon)
18-gauge stainless steel box
Built-in key lock with two universal keys
Mechanical capacity tracker with manual reset
Wall and countertop mounting holes included
Fits Deterra 1.0 Gallon Containers (sold separately)
Deterra Lock Box – Multi-Purpose (1.0 Gallon)
18-gauge stainless steel box
Built-in key lock with two universal keys
Mechanical capacity tracker with manual reset
Wall and countertop mounting holes included
Fits Deterra 1.0 Gallon Containers (sold separately)
Deterra Lock Box – Multi-Purpose (2.5 Gallon)
18-gauge stainless steel box
Built-in key lock with two universal keys
Mechanical capacity tracker with manual reset
Wall and countertop mounting holes included
Fits Deterra 2.5 Gallon Containers (sold separately)
Amplify your impact with Deterra Value Added Services
Our Value Added Services are a convenient, effective way to promote your organization, educate end-users about Deterra and evaluate the impact of your prevention efforts. From designing your postcard to adhering the labels and creating an online survey, we take care of the details so your Deterra Pouches are shipped to you ready for distribution.
Labels
Add a custom label to the front of each Deterra Pouch.
- Size: 2.75″x2″ or 2.625″x1″
- Option to add a QR code with link to a website or online survey
- Use your existing artwork or we can create a custom design
- Minimum order quantity: 5,000
Postcards
Adhere a custom postcard with low-tack adhesive or an overwrap to the Deterra Pouch.
- Size: 4″x6″ or 6″x9″
- Option to add mail-back survey or QR code with link to online survey
- Use your existing artwork or we can create a custom design
- Front and back printing
Online Surveys
Track responses to questions for research or data collection with a custom QR code and survey questions.
- Includes survey construction template, testing and QA
- Includes web link/QR code and HTML to embed in website if desired
- Website access for real time survey data and dashboard metrics
- Excel download of all data upon survey close
- Survey may be open for up to 12 months
Bulk Mailing Options
Add a bulk mailing service for easy distribution of Deterra Pouches to your contact list.
- Mailing options for Deterra Pouches with 4”x6” or 6”x9” postcard
- Minimum order quantity: 10,000
Co-Branded Pouches
Create a custom Deterra Pouch with your organization’s branding.
- Size: Deterra SP, MP, LP or XL Pouch
- Deterra can design or provide artwork specifications for your designer of choice
- Minimum order quantity: 1 million units
Deterra System Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Deterra Drug Deactivation System is the simplest and most effective way to dispose of medication at home or in a clinical setting to keep unwanted prescription and over the counter drugs out of the wrong hands and prevent environmental contamination. Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about Deterra products and at-home drug disposal.
1
What is the Deterra Drug Deactivation System?
The Deterra® Drug Deactivation System is a safe medication disposal pouch or container that can be used at home or in a clinical setting. It is the safest, most effective choice used to destroy and properly dispose of unused, unwanted, and expired medications with the simple addition of tap water.
2
How does the Deterra Drug Deactivation System work?
Each patented Deterra Pouch contains a water-soluble inner pod containing proprietary activated carbon. To dispose of prescription or over the counter medications, a user places the drugs in the pouch and adds water, which dissolves the inner pod and releases the activated carbon. The carbon binds to the active ingredients in the medications. Once deactivated, the drugs are permanently and irreversibly destroyed, unavailable for misuse and safe for disposal in the normal trash.
To learn more about the science behind Deterra, visit our Science and Research section. For how-to videos and instructions for how to use the Deterra Drug Deactivation System to dispose of medications, visit our Resources section.
3
What drugs will Deterra deactivate?
The Deterra® Drug Deactivation System will deactivate organic medications including opioids. However, Deterra will not adsorb biologics, such as vaccines and immunotherapeutics which are typically administered in a healthcare setting. Additionally, inorganic medications, such as antacids, lithium and iron supplements will not be adsorbed.
If your medication has specific disposal instructions, please follow the directions as given. Consult authorities or your pharmacist for more specific questions.
4
How quickly does the deactivation process start?
With Deterra, the process of deactivation starts immediately, but it can take time to complete. Some highly soluble drugs will dissolve and adsorb rapidly, while other less soluble drug types will take longer to dissolve and adsorb. The deactivation period varies based on volume and type of medication. As an additional safety precaution, it is important to keep Deterra out of reach of children and pets as the medication is deactivated.
5
After deactivation, can the drug be extracted from the carbon?
Based on testing, back extraction of the deactivated drugs is not effective. When used properly, the activated carbon will retain the drugs, rendering the contents of the Deterra Drug Deactivation System inert, unavailable for misuse and safe for the environment.
6
What if I accidentally add more drugs than the recommended amount?
Adding drugs to Deterra in amounts at (or less than) our recommended capacity will result in optimal deactivation efficiency. If one were to add slightly more than the recommended pharmaceutical capacity, deactivation of additional drugs will still occur but at reduced efficiency. Please always follow the directions on the back of the Deterra Drug Deactivation System.
7
What would happen if I didn’t add water?
The water-soluble pod inside the pouch will not open and expose the carbon to the medication. Tap water will also help dissolve pills and draw the drugs out of patches. The absence of water will not allow the deactivation process to begin. Please always follow the directions on the back of the Deterra Drug Deactivation System.
8
Are the active ingredients in the Deterra Drug Deactivation System safe?
The granular activated carbon used in Deterra is non-corrosive to skin and eyes. The organic carbon is considered non-flammable and stable under normal conditions for shipment, storage and use. There are no known harmful effects associated with ingestion of carbon used in Deterra; it is considered non-toxic. For more information, please see Deterra Drug Deactivation System Safety Data Sheets.
9
Why is Deterra better for the environment? Aren’t we just adding another plastic bag to landfills?
Deterra is environmentally sound through the entire product life cycle. From using 100% wind-generated power in production of the plant-based pouches to the non-toxic organic ingredients to its innovative pouch design, the product:
- Provides a convenient and immediate alternative to flushing or discarding medications and prevents still-potent drugs from contaminating our water supply and landfills through activated carbon adsorption.
- Has a smaller carbon footprint due to its plant-based packaging. The packaging is USDA Certified, 50% or more bio-based, and has received the I’m green™ plastic certification.
- Deterra Pouches are manufactured in a factory built to LEED® Silver sustainable building guidelines on equipment powered by 100% wind-generated electrical energy and are printed using an Expanded Color Gamut Process to reduce ink consumption and waste.
- Deterra 1.0 Containers are comprised of 25% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) material.
To help educate users on the importance of proper drug disposal for the environment and how to use the Deterra® Drug Deactivation System, we offer free educational materials for consumers and dispensers. See resources.
10
Does Deterra expire?
Deterra pouches and containers do not expire.
11
What are Deterra storage temperature requirements?
Deterra products do not need to be stored at a specific temperature and do not lose efficacy when stored in extreme heat or cold. However, the pouch or container may expand or contract in these conditions.
Request a Quote
The Deterra pouches can be purchased for individual or consumer use online. For bulk purchasing or ordering containers and disposal kits, please contact our sales team using our email address, phone number or the online form below.
With the Deterra Pouches I am able to provide my patients and their families with a drug abuse prevention resource that is easy-to-use, convenient and tangible. It’s something they can use in the privacy of their homes to eliminate the opportunity take their prescription when it’s no longer needed.
Pharmacists play a critical role in reducing prescription drug abuse by practicing responsible dispensing of painkillers and educating patients, and [Deterra] provides us all with a proven tool to empower patients to safely deactivate and dispose of leftover medications at home.
We knew patients struggled with quick, easy solutions for drug disposal; Deterra was a perfect fit and continues to be a perfect fit.
Deterra has brought me peace of mind that my medications are now safely inactivated and disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. This option should be free and widely available at any pharmacy or by mail. In fact, they should come with every opioid prescription!
What a wonderful product! So easy and so convenient.
This was much easier than any other drug disposal system that I have ever used.
