Old medications belong in the trash, not down the drain

When it’s time to dispose of that old blood pressure medicine in your cabinet, or some other expired or unused prescription drug, don’t flush it down the toilet. Most unused medicines belong in the trash — with some modifications.

The same is true of over-the-counter drugs and a variety of other pharmaceutical and personal care products, or PPCPs. Concern is growing that these substances may be harming the environment.

The number and variety of medications and personal care products used by U.S. consumers continues to grow.

“The reality is that we don’t know yet if and what harm these substances may have on the environment,” said Rebecca Flood, Environmental Compliance Manager with Metropolitan Council Environmental Services. “But we think it’s prudent for people to be cautious about disposal as researchers try to determine the effects. We know that some research is pointing towards an impact on aquatic animals.”

What are PPCPs?

PPCPs — also called “compounds of emerging concern” — comprise a broad, diverse collection of thousands of chemical substances, including prescription and over-the-counter therapeutic drugs (such as birth control pills), fragrances, cosmetics, sunscreen agents, diagnostic agents — basically, any non-food product people consume for personal health or cosmetic reasons. This also includes antibacterial soaps, hair-care products, inspect repellants, etc.

What’s the problem?

PPCPs are being found in every waterway where scientists have looked, including the Mississippi River. A growing number of scientists are researching the impacts of these chemicals on fish and other aquatic life.

These constituents have likely been around for decades, Flood said. But with the advent of more precise analytical methods with lower detection limits, scientists are now able to detect PPCPs in the part-per-billion and parts-per-trillion ranges. Population growth and the increased used of a growing variety of medications is also undoubtedly adding to the problem, she said.

PPCPs get into the wastewater treatment system as people excrete them, or shower them off their bodies, or dispose of them down a drain or toilet. “Although our treatment plants do a great job removing the vast majority of these substances, they are still present in wastewater effluent in minute amounts,” Flood said. “So these substances enter the nation’s rivers or eventually leach into groundwater from septic systems.”

Because concern is growing about PPCPs, consumers need to be aware of better ways to dispose of them than flushing them down the toilet. Sending them to a garbage incinerator or landfill in your trash is safer, said Flood. Today, landfills are lined to prevent leakage into groundwater.

What can I do as a consumer?

A good place to start is to look at the places you store drugs and other PPCPs. Put unused, unwanted and expired medicines in the trash rather than flush them down the drain. But before you do, modify the medicines to prevent accidental or intentional ingestion. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has tips for proper disposal of a variety of medications.

In the future, consumers in the seven-county metro area may have additional disposal options. In the meantime, if you have more questions regarding PPCP disposal, contact your county’s Household Hazardous Waste Program. Taking these steps will help to reduce the amount of PPCPs entering local waterways and preserve them for generations to come.