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Green Journal: Responsibly Recycling Drugs
December 10, 2007

While shopping at the Elephant Pharm last week, I learned of a disturbing fact. “Over 80% of waterways tested in the U.S. show traces of common medications.” (1) Over the course of our blog, we’ve definitely talked about topics like recycling electronics and composting green waste – all in effort to reduce waste and prevent pollution. But drugs in our water ways is something we’ve never even considered.

Medications like acetaminophen, hormones, blood pressure medicines, codeine and antibiotics fall under the classification of PPCPs, or Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products. In addition to medicines, PPCPs also include nutritional supplements and cosmetics.

The EPA considers the environmental presence of PPCPs as “one of the most significant emerging threats of the 21st Century.” (1)

Drugs and other PPCPs get into our water either through natural excretion or improper dumping of unused or expired products. Studies show that over half of consumers throw their unwanted drugs in the trash and one-third of consumersflush them down the toilet. (2)

The EPA is conducting further studies to better determine the environmental and health impacts of PPCPs. However, current research have shown a broad range of environmental impacts including estrogen changing male to female fish and antidepressants causing aggression and reproductive issues in shellfish.

So how do we properly dispose of unwanted or expired drugs? The EPA recommends first taking advantage of local drug take-back programs or hazardous waste collection that accepts pharmaceuticals. Many pharmacies are starting take-back programs. If there are no programs available, contact your local waste management company for advice and resources.

If you live in the SF Bay Area, the Teleosis Institute’s Green Pharmacy Program has a list of take back sites throughout the area. Teleosis also recommends purchasing medication in small quantities to limit waste and encouraging your local pharmacy to implement take-back programs.

So the next time your Tylenol or vitamins expire, please think twice before throwing it in the trash.

Other Related Green Journals

Responsible Recycling of Electronics
Reusing Packing Materials
Reducing Plastic Consumption

CindyC at Organicpicks

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Source:
1. http://www.teleosis.org/pdf/GreenPharmacyBrochure.pdf
2. http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/content/full/19/6/542
3. Illustrations sourced from epa.gov

Copyright 2007 Organicpicks