Pill Disposal

Keeping our water free from chemicals is one way to help ensure the health and safety of our water sources. Research has shown that pharmaceuticals—including prescription drugs—are present in our nation’s water and may cause environmental harm. Although there is no current evidence that these pharmaceuticals in the environment are responsible for any negative health effects in humans, keeping our water clean is an important public health goal.

To help keep our water free from prescription drugs, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) works with state and local law enforcement agencies to host National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The purpose of this day is to provide a venue for people to safely dispose of unused prescription drugs, so they don’t put the drugs in the trash or flush them down the toilet (where they could eventually end up in our water).

The next National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will take place on April 28, 2012, 10:00am-2:00pm. For more information, visit National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

For more information on how pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) affect our water, visit EPA’s Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products website.