Proper Disposal of Residential Medications and Pharmaceuticals
The procedures below apply ONLY to medical wastes that are generated
IN A PRIVATE HOME IN CALIFORNIA by the residents of that home. Officially,
there are no California medical regulations governing home-generated medical
waste. These options may help prevent the medical waste from being spilled
during pickup, or being accidentally or intentionally misused.
Please do not put medications and pharmaceuticals down the drain or down
the toilet as sewage treatment systems are not designed to remove pharmaceuticals
and medications. These include any prescription or nonprescription substance
intended to be swallowed, inhaled, injected, applied to the skin or eyes,
or otherwise absorbed by the body.
To dispose of medications and pharmaceuticals in the trash, packaging
suggestions include securing them in some sort of durable packaging or
container to ensure that the refuse collector can safely bring the medications
and pharmaceuticals to the landfill. Any nonbreakable packaging or container
you use is acceptable. Secure the packaging, or the pry-off type lids
on some pill containers with strong tape. To deter the misuse of the pharmaceuticals
by others, residents may wish to either remove or obscure personal identification
information from the label before placing the container in the trash.
There are no laws that forbid putting home generated medications and
pharmaceuticals in the trash if the medications or pharmaceuticals would
not be considered hazardous waste. Usually the pharmaceuticals in a home
that are likely to be considered hazardous waste are those prescribed
for chemotherapy. Chemotherapy Pharmaceuticals need to be returned to
the clinic that dispensed them.
In limited cases, unused or expired pharmaceuticals can be returned to
pharmacies for "take-back" programs. Ask at the pharmacy regarding
the availability of this service.
A health care facility or health care professional visiting a private
home are subject to the Medical Waste Management Act (MWMA). Health care
facilities and health care professionals need to contact their local health
departments for proper disposal information.
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