Medicines
Take medicine waste to the pharmacy. All pharmacies accept medicine waste from households free of charge.
Medicine waste is
- out-of-date and unused medicines and pharmaceutical products for people and animals
- mercury thermometers
- sharp waste: needles, syringes, insulin pens, ampoules and similar products (return to pharmacy!)
How to return medicines
- return medicines, salves and sprays in their original packaging
- remove instruction labels from prescription drugs to protect sensitive personal information
- remove any cardboard packaging but do not take tablets out of blister packs
- return tablets and capsules packaged in a plastic or glass bottle
- place sharp waste in a secure, hard-sided jar or bottle
- keep separate medicines containing iodine, including iodine tablets, such as Betadine and Iodosorb and cytostatic drugs, such as cancer medicines.
NOT TO BE TAKEN TO A PHARMACY
- vitamins, micronutrients, natural remedies (sort these into biowaste without packagins)
- moisturising creams, beauty products, shampoos, and bandages (sort these into mixed waste)
What happens to medicine waste after sorting?
Medicines are incinerated in a processing plant for hazardous waste and the energy generated in the process is utilised as heat and electricity.