Hi Free2BMe - I just read an article about this in Slate, which was focused on the "greenest" ways to dispose of medications. The article included information on the FDA guidelines Alison mentioned, and I found the recommendations to flush certain medications down the toilet to be surprising.
The article went on to say:"These federal guidelines aren't binding, and your state or local authority may have somewhat different advice. For example, several states caution patients never to flush any medications, dangerous or otherwise. (Connecticut suggests taking extra steps to keep your meds out of unwanted paws or hands, such as dissolving pills and capsules in water, wrapping blister packs in duct tape, and adding flour, salt, or mustard powder to liquid medications to make "a pungent, unsightly mixture.")
The article also discussed what you can do to recycle old prescription containers. "Most over-the-counter bottles are made of high-density polyethylene (that's No. 2 plastic), though some may be made of polyethylene terephalate (No. 1). Both types are widely recyclable, but many local curbside programs won't take them, because they're small and can jam up equipment. Meanwhile, amber prescription bottles are usually polypropylene (No. 5), which is rarely accepted by recyclers. The design company Preserve collects No. 5 plastics at many Whole Foods, though, and you can also mail your polypropylene empties directly to the company. Some shelters, clinics, and veterinarians' offices also collect prescription vials and reuse them, so if you've got a whole bunch of them on your hands, it might be worth looking for such a facility in your area. The Lantern (author) likes to use hers as coin containers or carrying cases for earrings and safety pins while she travels."
If you'd like to real the full article, it can be found here:
http://www.slate.com/id/2236431/
Thanks for bringing up this topic, it's an important one!
Pat
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Hi Free2BMe - I just read an article about this in Slate, which was focused on the "greenest" ways to dispose of medications. The article included information on the FDA guidelines Alison mentioned, and I found the recommendations to flush certain medications down the toilet to be surprising.
The article went on to say:"These federal guidelines aren't binding, and your state or local authority may have somewhat different advice. For example, several states caution patients never to flush any medications, dangerous or otherwise. (Connecticut suggests taking extra steps to keep your meds out of unwanted paws or hands, such as dissolving pills and capsules in water, wrapping blister packs in duct tape, and adding flour, salt, or mustard powder to liquid medications to make "a pungent, unsightly mixture.")
The article also discussed what you can do to recycle old prescription containers. "Most over-the-counter bottles are made of high-density polyethylene (that's No. 2 plastic), though some may be made of polyethylene terephalate (No. 1). Both types are widely recyclable, but many local curbside programs won't take them, because they're small and can jam up equipment. Meanwhile, amber prescription bottles are usually polypropylene (No. 5), which is rarely accepted by recyclers. The design company Preserve collects No. 5 plastics at many Whole Foods, though, and you can also mail your polypropylene empties directly to the company. Some shelters, clinics, and veterinarians' offices also collect prescription vials and reuse them, so if you've got a whole bunch of them on your hands, it might be worth looking for such a facility in your area. The Lantern (author) likes to use hers as coin containers or carrying cases for earrings and safety pins while she travels."
If you'd like to real the full article, it can be found here:
http://www.slate.com/id/2236431/
Thanks for bringing up this topic, it's an important one!
December 8, 2009 - 6:06pmPat
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