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April 20, 2011 Guides » Green Guide

Don’t Flush! 

What to do with those expired prescriptions.

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One of the bigger threats to the ecosystem may be sitting your medicine cabinet. That bottle of prescription medication that’s been sitting in there since last year could pose a problem if you toss it in the trash or flush it down the toilet. Luckily, there is a safe and easy way to dispose of unused medications.

Salt Lake City’s water sources come from high-mountain reservoirs, so our drinking water is thankfully not spiked with discarded or excreted pharmaceuticals. Nevertheless, Florence Reynolds, with Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, encourages city residents to take advantage of the Proper Medication Disposal Program. Unused medication can be dropped off at most law enforcement agencies that operate disposal programs. Plus, several times a year, there are numerous “Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet” events where prescriptions can be dropped off at convenient locations. April 30 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency, and several locations in the Salt Lake valley will offer drive-up/drop off services.

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For more information, visit MedicationDisposal.utah.gov.

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