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Drugs: Prevent Poisoning, Abuse, and Pollution

Unused, leftover drugs in our homes are endangering our children and putting our families at risk of accidental poisonings and drug abuse. And these drugs are getting into our waterways and environment when they’re flushed or thrown away. About one-third of medicines sold to Washington households – about 33 million containers of pills – go unused every year.

How do you dispose of your leftover medicines?

Medicines should not be put into your food or yard waste cart. Trash disposal of drugs is not safe because pets, other animals, children and adults have easy access. Medicines flushed down the toilet waste more than just water, they create an environmental hazard. Currently, you can take medicines to a temporary drop-off location to safely dispose of them.

Learn more:

Explore media coverage of the problem.

Discover what is being done to create a permanent statewide medicine take-back program.