Safe Disposal of
Pharmaceuticals and/or Syringes
Recent studies show that chemicals commonly found in
pharmaceuticals and cleaning products are affecting the
reproductive systems of fish downstream from municipal
wastewater treatment plants. Because wastewater treatment
plants do not currently treat or remove these chemicals,
they are passed on to our waterways, and many of these
chemicals have been found in public drinking water across
the country.
You can help to reduce the amount of chemicals that reach
our waterways by following simple steps for
home disposal or by dropping your pharmaceuticals off at
a
designated site. Occasionally, Boulder County Public
Health sponsors pharmaceutical drop-off
events. Please check back regularly to find out when these events
have been scheduled.
You can also prevent contamination of
our waterways by safely disposing of
syringes at home, using a
needle exchange program, or via a
syringe disposal company.
-
Never flush unused medication down the drain.
-
Pour liquid medications over cat litter or other
absorbent material, and seal it in a plastic bag before
placing it in the trash.
-
Fill pill containers with household glue, remove all
personal information from the container, and place it in
the trash after the glue has dried.
-
Cut trans-dermal patches into small strips, place them
in a container, and add glue or mix them with coffee
grounds or used cat litter.
Designated Pharmaceutical Drop-off Sites
|
Business |
Location |
Phone |
Accepted |
NOT Accepted |
|
Good Day Pharmacy, Longmont Clinic |
1925 West Mountain View Ave.
Longmont |
303.776.0709 |
Prescription pharmaceuticals
Over-the-counter medications
Vitamins and supplements |
Controlled substances |
|
King Soopers |
1650 30th St. Boulder |
303.443.9622 |
Prescription drugs
Over-the-counter products |
Narcotics
Controlled substances or medications from clinics, hospitals, or
nursing homes
|
Upcoming Pharmaceutical Drop-off Events:
There are no events
currently scheduled. Please check back regularly or
call 303.441.1564.
|
Home Disposal of Syringes
- Place sharps in a strong plastic bottle (e.g.
bleach, liquid detergent) or metal container with a
screw-on or tightly secured lid to prevent accidental
contact with the waste.
- Secure lid with duct tape.
- Place sealed container in your regular trash.
- Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
- Sharps are NOT accepted by recycling programs. Do
not put sharps in with the recycling, even if the
container you use to seal them is recyclable, as this
puts staff at the recycling center at risk.
Needle Exchange
The Works Program provides free and anonymous syringe
exchange for injecting drug users to prevent the spread of
HIV and other bloodborne diseases.
Syringe Disposal
BCPH does not accept used sharps from the public. Talk with
your doctor, pharmacist, or diabetes association about where
to safely dispose of sharps.
You may also use the services of a
commercial mail-in syringe disposal company. They tend
to charge about $25 - $100, depending on container size.
For more information, contact:
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, Colorado 80246-1530
Customer Technical Assistance: 303.692.3320 or 888.569.1831,
Ext. 3320 (toll-free) |
