Safe medicine disposal is a key part of knowing the ABC’s of medications. We all know that outdated medications should never be taken and that we should never take another person’s medication. But what do we do with medications that are either outdated or no longer needed? Safe medicine disposal has a few steps, and it’s imperative that they be followed for our safety and for the safety of others.
*I am a KYOTC ambassador and was compensated for this post. All my opinions are my own and not swayed by outside sources.*
Safe Medicine Disposal
I’ve done several posts on medication safety for KYOTCs and this is yet another important entry into an important topic. Outdated medications or medications that are no longer needed can be a dangerous proposition. It’s important to keep our medicine cabinets clean and clear. If you’ve never given cleaning out your medicine cabinet any thought or if you’ve just tossed your meds into the trash, don’t feel bad. You’re not alone. In fact, 62% of adults have never considered how to properly dispose of their OTC meds. And 50% of adults say they typically dispose of unwanted meds in the trash. Of them only 8% mix the meds with something to keep others from taking them.
Take a look at this video on the KYOTCs page on how to properly dispose of medications.
The 1,2,3’s of Safe Medicine Disposal
It’s easier than you think to safely dispose of meds. Just follow these steps.
- 1. Mix meds with a substance like kitty litter or used coffee grounds to prevent others from taking them.
- 2. Place the mixture in a sealed plastic bag.
- 3. Toss it in the trash.
See? Easy peasy. So if you need to purge your medicine cabinet, it’s easy to do. Just be sure to watch the video in this post and remember the 1,2,3’s of safe medicine disposal.