Household Hazardous Waste

Pharmaceutical Drug Waste

The U.S. Geological Survey in 2002 sampled streams in 30 states. Of the 139 streams tested, 80 percent had measurable concentrations of prescription and nonprescription drugs, steroids, and reproductive hormones.

Exposure to even low levels of drugs has negative effects on fish and other aquatic species, and also may negatively affect human health. This website offers guidance to help the public dispose of pharmaceutical waste in a safe, efficient and environmentally sound manner, using methods that are convenient, cost-effective, sustainable and environmentally sound (PRC 47120 (a)).

Defining Pharmaceutical Drug Waste

Items intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in humans or other animals. Pharmaceutical waste is synonymous with drug waste, unused or expired medication, or unused or expired drugs, prescription and over-the-counter human drugs, veterinary drugs, diagnostic agents, and nutritional supplements.

The Law

The disposal of pharmaceutical waste is governed by provisions of SB 966 (Simitian, Chapter 542, Statutes of 2007). It requires the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) to develop, in consultation with appropriate government agencies, model programs for the collection and proper disposal of pharmaceutical waste. Those model programs would have to be available to eligible participants no earlier than July 1, 2008, and no later than December 31, 2008. Provisions of SB 966 remain in effect until January 1, 2013. For more information, go to the Pharmaceutical Waste Management Plan page.

Where to Dispose of Pharmaceuticals

Do not dispose of waste pharmaceuticals down the drain or down the toilet. This includes any prescription or nonprescription substances intended to be swallowed, inhaled, injected, applied to the skin or eyes, or otherwise absorbed.

Chemotherapy Pharmaceuticals

Chemotherapy pharmaceuticals should be returned to the clinic that dispensed them.

All Other Pharmaceuticals

For all other pharmaceuticals there is no answer that applies to all people in all parts of California. In limited cases, unused or expired pharmaceuticals can be returned to pharmacies for "take-back." This may be your best option if it is available to you. The household hazardous waste collection facilities in your area might accept pharmaceuticals--it varies from municipality to municipality. Check with your local Household Hazardous Waste Program.

There are no laws that forbid households from putting pharmaceuticals from the home into the trash if the pharmaceuticals would not be considered hazardous waste. Usually the pharmaceuticals in a home that are likely to be considered hazardous waste are only those prescribed for chemotherapy. If take-back programs are not available to you, and if your local household hazardous waste facility does not accept pharmaceuticals, then disposing nonchemotherapy pharmaceuticals in the trash is probably your best option. If you dispose of pharmaceuticals in the trash, please secure them in durable packaging.

The CIWMB is working on a database that will provide locations where pharmaceutical drug waste can be safely disposed. Look for this database in the near future on this site.

Additional Resources

State Agencies

• California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
  • Pharmaceutical Waste Management Plan web page--Provides information and timelines on the CIWMB’s plan to implement current State law governing disposal of pharmaceutical waste.
  • Sharps Waste web page--Provides information for self-injectors to locate facilities for the proper disposal of sharps waste and assists local governments to set up collection programs.
  • Healthcare Waste web page--Provides information on reducing pharmaceutical waste generated at health care facilities and how to dispose of that waste.
• California Board of Pharmacy--The Board of Pharmacy protects and promotes the health and safety of Californians by pursuing the highest quality of pharmacist's care and the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals through education, communication, licensing, legislation, regulation, and enforcement. Learn about the Board of Pharmacy's recommended pharmaceutical disposal method (Adobe PDF, 161 KB).
• California Department of Public Health--Provides information to help protect the public and the environment from potential infectious exposure to disease-causing agents by regulating the handling, storage, treatment, and disposal of medical waste.
• California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)--Provides information on pharmaceuticals and personal care products; their description, how they affect the environment, regulatory issues, and their proper disposal.

Other Resources

• Product Stewardship Institute (PSI)--Provides publications on pharmaceuticals in the environment and PSI's effort to develop a national program requiring producers to be responsible for the collection and disposal of unwanted and expired pharmaceuticals.
• No Drugs Down The Drain--Provides information on the problem of improper disposal of pharmaceuticals and how this is affecting the environment. The web page also provides information on its statewide campaign for California to raise awareness about this issue.
• Teleosis Institute--Provides information on why drugs are in our water, how they affect our environment, how they affect human health, why they go unused, and what we can do about this problem.

For More Information

Stay informed about CIWMB’s latest developments to promote safe disposal of pharmaceutical waste.

• Listserv: To receive periodic information about pharmaceutical waste, subscribe to the Medical Waste: Sharps and Pharmaceuticals Listserv.
• Contact: Please contact James Cropper for questions or more information.