Is it ok to flush medications down the toilet?
No, it is generally not recommended to flush medication down the toilet.
While some specific medications are designated for flushing by the FDA
(https://www.fda.gov/drugs/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know/drug-disposal-fdas-flush-list-certain-medicines#FlushListLinks,
most should be disposed of through secure medicine return programs or by following specific instructions for trash disposal.
Why not flush?
Environmental concerns: Flushing medications can contaminate water sources, as wastewater treatment plants are not always equipped to remove all drug residue. With our STEP system, many chemical compounds are harmful to the “good bacteria” that help break down our wastewater.
Public-health risk: Medications can harm wildlife and potentially enter the drinking water supply.
Safety: Unused medications can be misused or abused if accessible.
Safe Disposal Options in Pierce County:
The quickest, easiest way to dispose of unused medication is at the drop-off box in front of the pharmacy at Safeway on Borgen Blvd. Pierce County has several drop-off locations throughout the county—and also mail-back envelopes for safe medication disposal. You can find locations and details at:
https://www.piercecountywa.gov/ .