Drug Recycle Days

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Over 323 lbs of 

Expired or Unused Drug 

Was collected during Recycle Days

This was the best turnout yet!

Call Your Solid Waste District to find out how to recycle everything from drugs to tires 
 

Did you know?
There are health and safety dangers of  keeping unused or expired drugs in your medicine cabinet?
Unused or expired drugs can cause environmental damage to land, water, septic systems and wastewater treatment plants?
There are alternate ways of disposing of expired drugs besides throwing or "flushing" them away?
Unused or expired drugs can include pharmaceutical, syrup, eye drops, loose tablets, and unsealed tubes of creams or ointments?

Unused drugs and expired drugs are a common household health and safety threat to children, older adults and animals. Confused citizens, especially seniors, may take incorrect dosages of unused or expired drugs with dangerous consequences. When flushed down the drain or burned, they can release toxic chemicals into the environment. Some of these chemicals can damage septic systems and sewage treatment plants. There is concern that released antibiotics may produce bacterial strains that are resistant to the antibiotic. Other drugs can be scavenged from the trash and illegally sold within the community.

The local law enforcement agencies will be present for the reception and safe transportation of these drugs. Drugs that are considered controlled substances must be safeguarded from the public. Besides non-narcotic prescription drugs and over the counter drugs (OTC), controlled substances can be collected. Police protection can prevent possible thefts of these drugs either at the site collection points or during transport to the waste material site. Department of Transportation regulations govern this requirement.
Hoarding old pills is a bad idea. Some medicines break down into dangerous byproducts. The antibiotic tetracycline is notorious for this. Other drugs lose potency. The heart medicine nitroglycerin deteriorates quickly if not stored in an airtight container. 

The anti-seizure drug Tegretol is susceptible to destruction if it is exposed to humidity. Other medications also suffer under humid conditions, which is why we recommend you never store pills in your bathroom medicine cabinet. 

It's not a good plan to keep bottles of eye drops or nose spray, either. If they became contaminated with bacteria or fungus, these solutions could do more harm than good. 

If you are inspired to get rid of old medicines, please do it properly. Don't pour them down the drain or flush them down the toilet. They should be treated like hazardous household waste. 

Scientists in Europe have discovered that drinking-water supplies in many communities are contaminated with prescription drugs. Waterways throughout Switzerland contain measurable levels of cholesterol-lowering drugs.

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Princeton Indiana City and County Services
Princeton IN.