Managing Residential Pharmaceutical Waste

Residential Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal

In Texas, most unused residential pharmaceuticals are flushed down a toilet (not recommended), disposed of in the garbage going to the landfill, or stored in the home (also not recommended).

Nationally, unused pharmaceuticals are disposed of through one of the following outlets:

• community take-back event or permanent collection receptacle,
• mail back program,
• incineration,
• disposal in landfills, and
• flushing down the drain only if specifically instructed to do so with certain medicines.

A community take-back program has multiple advantages, including promoting environmental consciousness, reducing drug misuse and abuse and encouraging multiple stakeholders to work together to solve a problem.

Find a Take Back Option Near You

• Locations Partnering with the Bay Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol

• Walgreens Safe Medication Disposal Program

• National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

• National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Pharmaceutical Disposal Map

Residential Pharmaceutical Waste Collection Programs

H-GAC is encouraging local governments in our region to develop more pharmaceutical collection programs, including permanent collection receptacles and community take-back events. Local regulations will vary from community to community, but it is important to contact local law enforcement agencies, such as police, health department and regional Drug Enforcement Administration offices when planning a collection event.

In December 2010 the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Pharmaceutical Disposal Advisory Group (SB1757) published a study on the available disposal methods for unused pharmaceuticals. The TCEQ provides online resources for households and healthcare providers.

• For Households: The TCEQ Residential Waste Guide outlines the specific modern trash-mixing and collection practices resulting from the 2010 study.
• For Healthcare Providers: The TCEQ Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Management portal details active regulations, manifest requirements, and the strict bans on sewering pharmaceutical waste.