disposal of drugs

[trooper]

I have a quantity of prescription drugs which are time expired. Does anyone know if there is a 'safe' way to dispose of them rather than just flush them away or throw in the bin. Back in the world I would take them back to a pharmacy for disposal but don't think there such a scheme here.

[snd1966]

I took all of ours and other people's to my local pharmacy for disposal

[thornaby]

In the UK, where water in the drains will eventually get back as drinking water, putting drugs etc down the loo will turn men feminine. Don't think that will be an issue over here. Just a thought!!!

[Ragged Robin]

I thought it stopped men getting pregnant! I also thought it was Valium that was the major problem getting into the UK water

Seriously though local chemists will take back unused "prescription" drugs - but I dont know what THEY do with them! Best not to put out with the rubbish though, as I suspect they might contaminate food that stray animals scavenge.

[trooper]

Thanks Snd1966 and RR, Given that there have been over 350 hits on the question and only two responses it does suggest (as I rather thought) that giving the stuff to a pharmacy is almost certainly the route to the landfill. Absolute madness as all this sort of stuff (and much other toxic waste) ends up in our water supply. Am tempted to take my meds back next month and dispose of it there. How unnecessarily stupid is that?

[Ragged Robin]

Well, among other things,, it is something to accept if one choses to live in an unrecognized country. How do chemists/the authorities deal with disposal of drugs in the UK? Even buried deep will get them into the water table eventually.

Never mind, maybe we will be drinking Turkish mainland drugs soon!

[snd1966]

The chemist in Catalkoy did not seem surprised when I gave him out of date insulin, penicillin and other drugs I felt if some minor found I did not want to be responsible for them maybe taking. in the uk I think they just sat in the cupboard as I had more storage space and did not deal with other people on a personal basis therefore was never asked to dispose of their out of date drugs.

[Baspinarlady]

Winter's coming - chuck em in the woodburner!

[Ragged Robin]

Would the temperature of a wood burner or an open fire be sufficient to destroy harmful chemicals? If not what do you do with the ashes, I put Wood ash on the garden so it would go into the water table anyway

I just did a websearch, American naturally, and talks about disposal programmes (sorry programs!). However lacking that and the burning suggestion it seems the alternatives are flushing down the toilet for particularly dangerous drugs as the environmental risk is less than that of children or other vulnerable people getting hold of them.

Otherwise is suggests mixing the drugs with an unpleasant substance and bagging up separately before putting out with the "trash". It suggests kitty litter, which I am not sure would work , but maybe something like pepper would deter animals?

Anyway going back to post 3 , the substances that get into the drinking water from the drains in the UK, first go through people anyway!

Also suggests reading the instructions on the packet re disposal - so first get a good Turkish dictionary!