Medicine and aging. (Credit: Laurynas Me/Unsplash)
Flushing unused pharmaceuticals or tossing them in the trash can lead to contamination in our water systems
The disposal of unused or expired pharmaceuticals is a growing environmental concern. When these medications are flushed down the toilet or thrown in the trash, they can enter the environment and potentially harm local ecosystems.
Wastewater treatment plants are not equipped to remove many pharmaceutical substances, meaning these medications often pass through the system unfiltered. As a result, traces of drugs end up in rivers, lakes, and even groundwater, where they can affect both wildlife and human health.
To help reduce the environmental impact of pharmaceutical disposal, Lower Frederick Township’s Environmental Advisory Council is sharing resources to guide residents on how to properly dispose of unused medications.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency webpage, which provides detailed information on how pharmaceuticals enter the environment and suggestions for safe disposal, can be read here.
In addition to the EPA's guidelines, the EAC said a better option for disposing of unused medications is to drop them off at designated collection sites, such as the lobby of the Township Building, located at 53 Spring Mount Road (GPS: Schwenksville).
The EAC also encourages the community to follow its monthly “Did You Know?” tips, which focus on ways to enhance our relationship with the environment. Past posts and additional information can be found on the EAC page of the Lower Frederick Township website.
According to the EPA, pharmaceuticals can enter the environment through several channels. One common source is human excretion, as many medications are not fully absorbed by the body and are excreted into wastewater.
Medications flushed down toilets or disposed of in landfills also contribute to environmental contamination. Wastewater treatment plants, which are designed to remove common pollutants, are not equipped to filter out pharmaceuticals, allowing these substances to pass through and reach surface water, according to the EPA.
In some cases, even advanced treatment systems fail to fully remove pharmaceutical ingredients, which continue to flow downstream, potentially affecting water sources used by other communities.
