Welcome back to Bay Disposal’s blog! Each week we research and learn about a new aspect of responsible recycling and solid Waste disposal and management. This week, we’re taking a look at another form of hazardous waste (we’ve also talked about paint, batteries, and razors), medical waste.

Let’s Get Healthy!

Medical waste comes in many forms: needles, syringes, pill bottles, and leftover medications which can include pills, ointments, and liquids ingested orally. It’s important to dispose of such things properly, due to the unknowable amount of damage they can cause to our environment.

Many people think that old, unused, or unwanted medication should be flushed or washed down the drain—this is NOT true! Flushing medications only washes the chemicals into our groundwater, streams, and wildlife. Water treatment facilities exist to remove dirt from our water, not chemicals, meaning that once it’s done it cannot be undone. There is literally no way of knowing how much of this damage has already been irrevocably done.

Medical Waste DON’Ts:

• Do NOT flush or wash medicine down the drain
• Do NOT toss into the trash as-is (especially needles!)
• Do NOT give or sell to anyone else

So How Do I Dispose of Medical Waste?

Lucky for you, this Saturday, April 28th is Drug Take-Back Day! This collaborative effort was initiated to keep such substances out of our water sources, as well as to prevent drug abuse. Simply bring your unwanted medications to your local law enforcement agency. It’s free, anonymous, and helps the community! Needles, injectables, and IVs are not accepted, however. 

Medical Waste DOs:

• Remove or obscure with black marker all personal information on label
• Store medications out of reach of children and pets
• Ask your pharmacist about their take-back policy
• Check out these tips for prescription drug disposal
• Try a drug disposal bag
• Crush or empty pills and mix with kitty litter or coffee grounds (also works with liquids)
• Drop off medications at your city’s disposal receptacles:
  • Virginia Beach
  • Norfolk – Public Safety Building at 811 E. City Hall Ave
  • Suffolk
  • Isle of Wight – County Sheriff’s Department
  • Use the DEA’s website tool to find a drop-off location near you

With your help, we can keep our beautiful waterways natural, clean, and free of pharmaceuticals, while cutting down on prescription drug abuse opportunities.

Let’s Take it Back, Hampton Roads!

The post Take it Back: How to Safely Dispose of Medical Waste appeared first on Bay Disposal.