What should you do with your unused drugs?
DON'T FLUSH THEM AWAY!
Your toilet bowl maybe the time-honored venue for dumping expired or unused drugs, but your local waterways could suffer for it.
The US Geologic Survey has been studying the nation's waterways for years, and an exhaustive study in 2002 detected trace levels of chemicals commonly found in prescription drugs in 80 percent of the streams tested across the country. Now, under pressure from researchers who suspect hormones and antidepressants may be responsible for harming fish, the US Environmental Protection Agency is on the march to gauge the health and environmental impact of pharmaceuticals in water.
"In the last year," says EPA press officer Suzanne Ackerman, "the agency has made some 'ground-breaking' advances and is testing methods that may be effective in removing pharmaceuticals from the water." "The going is slow," she concedes, "but it's happening."
Meanwhile, what should you do with your unused drugs? There are no government guidelines, so pharmaceutical experts recommend:
- Find out if your local pharmacies take back medications. some have occasional days designated for such drop-offs.
- Check to see whether your area has a community household hazardous waste collection program.
If you must turn to your garbage can, take these precautions:
- Keep the medication in its original container. Scratch out your name for security purposes.
- Add a small amount of water to pills or an absorbent material like flour to liquid medications, to discourage their use.
- Put the containers in a paper bag or a yogurt container to conceal them. Toss them into your trash as close to pick-up time as possible.
How should you dispose of motor oil?
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that proper management of used oil is a major environmental concern and that just one gallon of used oil can make a million gallons of fresh water undrinkable and reduce animal and plant life in a body of water.
It's easy to image that motor oil could foul our rivers and streams, but run-off from oil leaks and spills on driveways and roads is also a source of water pollution. Leaked oil on:
- parking lots
- driveways
- and streets
can be washed into storm sewers and streams by rain and snowmelt.
Engine leaks should be repaired and any spills soaked-up with
- sawdust
- kitty litter
- or commercially available oil dry products
Ground water contamination from improper disposal of oil and other pollutants is of special concern to anyone whose water comes from a well, whether the well is privately owned or is a community well.
Another source of contamination can come from used oil filters. When changing oil, be sure to drain your used filter 12-24 hours to empty it of oil. The filter can then be bagged and placed in your trash.
Illinois banned liquid motor oil from landfill disposal in 1996. If you change your own oil (car, lawn, or farm equipment), there are options available for used oil disposal. Take it to the annual used motor oil collection sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension or your county Waste Agency.
Useful Tips:
- When storing oil for recylcing, make sure it is in a clean, sealed container.
- Mark the container clearly as used oil and store safely.
- Never mix it with solents, gasoline, or antifreeze.
- Contaminated oil must be treated as hazardous waste.
- If you aren't able to store your used oil for the annual collection, your auto repair shop or car dealership may accept it.
- Some car businesses have their used oil collected for recylcing and other use it to heat their shops.
It is best to use-up automobile products as directed and only purchase enough for the job. Pay attention to:
- warnings on the label
- dispose of as directed
- or save for a household hazardous waste collection.