Safe disposal of medicine: save time on 28 April

Did you know that the national drug take-back program is coming up soon?  And by soon, I mean Saturday, 28 April.  I love this.  Chris and I participated last year.

So here's the deal.  The trash we throw away regardless of whether it goes into a landfill or worse, is carted around the earth on those trash barges, has the potential to leach harmful chemicals into to soil, groundwater, and ultimately us.  Flushing meds down the toilet is advisable for some, but not all meds.  But, here's the rub with that.  Flushing meds down the toilet introduces the chemicals into our water stream. 

Another method for disposing of medications is to ground them up in coffee grinds.  Ok, sure, that can be done.  But Chris and I don't drink coffee, and after our coffee maker died a couple of years ago we didn't replace it.  So that's not an option for us.

We will be ridding ourselves of 16 expired meds and containers

Luckily, on 28 April from 10 am to 2 pm, a nation-wide program has been instituted to safely dispose of medications.  I can't wait.  It cannot come soon enough.  Since April of last year I have been hording meds that Chris and I have taken (and empty medicine containers - it sucks that those can't be reused by the pharmacist or at least recycled!).  We also have a very old and aging dog, Byron, who is has had to have various meds over the year. 

I encourage everybody to check their medicine cabinets for any expired medications.  This is a great way to reduce clutter and get rid of your meds safely.  We will be dropping off at least 16 meds at Richmond's Southside Community Center (assuming this year's location is the same as last years!)