The Green Way to Clear Out Your Medicine Cabinet

As seasons change, we often take bags of outgrown clothing to donation centers, recycle papers and bills, and completely clear out the refrigerator. But how do we handle the expired meds junking up our medicine cabinets?

Instead of flushing unused prescription drugs into the water system, consider ways to save the environment. For instance, one option is the Baltimore County drug Dropbox. With ten locations conveniently located outside Baltimore County Police Precincts, you can dispose of unexpired prescription medications in a safe and environmentally-friendly fashion. Drug drop boxes are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. Many CVS stores also provide drop boxes.

Before heading over to a local drop-off location, ensure that you meet acceptable deposit standards. Acceptable deposits include prescription medications that are expired or no longer needed such as pills, capsules, and liquid medications in a container. Non-liquid forms of medication can be disposed in their container or a zip lock bag.

In a time crunch? Try an alternative disposal method like this one approved by the Food and Drug Administration:

        1.   Mix medications (liquids or uncrushed pills and tablets) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, used coffee grounds, or sawdust.

        2.   Deposit the mixture in a sealed container such as a plastic bag.

        3.   Throw the sealed container into your home waste bin.

        4.   Remove all personal information (name, address, etc.) on the prescription labels of empty medicine bottles and packaging, then dispose of the container.

Whether you’re preparing for a move or simply prepping for spring cleaning, reorganizing your medicine cabinet is an easy way to begin decluttering your home and mind.

Medical waste (needles, lancets, syringes, and razor blades), however, should be securely enclosed in a metal or plastic container and thrown in the regular trash, NOT in the drug drop boxes. Make sure that used needles are kept in puncture resistant containers before disposal, as they can be hazardous to sanitation workers.