Day 7 - Vitamins and Medications

TGIF everyone! Well, today it was time for me to clean out the medicine cabinet and get rid of unused and expired vitamins and medications. These are not to be simply thrown in the trash as is; and the Food and Drug Administration does not recommend flushing them down the toilet. 

From my medicine cabinet

Proper disposal helps to protect the environment by keeping unwanted substances out of the groundwater. Also, for the safety of children and pets it is best to follow the guidelines set out by the FDA in February 2007. 


Here are the steps: 
1. Remove the vitamins or drugs from containers.
2. Crush drugs; dissolve vitamins in warm or hot water (about 10 to 15 minutes).
3. Put used coffee grounds, kitty litter, or sawdust in a zip bag or a container with a lid. 
4. Add the crushed/dissolved pills and seal tightly.
5. The bag or container may then be thrown out with the household trash.


Be sure to remove or scratch out pertinent information from prescription drug labels to protect your identity and privacy.


I followed these steps and got rid of a number of bottles, and boxes of blister packs. It was not fun opening all those blister packs, but Mr. Scissors came to the rescue.


Be aware that there are a handful of powerful drugs that actually carry instructions for flushing. For safety reasons, follow those instructions.


Happy decluttering and have a great weekend!

For more information:

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/UnderstandingOver-the-CounterMedicines/ucm107163.pdf