Thursday, October 31, 2013

What to do with medical waste?



Prescription Medications

Perhaps a family member has been ill recently, or maybe it’s just been a long time since you cleaned out your medicine cabinet. If you are like most people, you have unwanted or expired prescription medications in your home. So, what do you do with them?

Rule 1: Don’t flush it!
Rule 2: Don’t trash it!
Rule 3: Drop it off!
There are several convenient locations throughout Thurston County. Please do not put sharps (needles) in the drop boxes.
Sharps
Sharps are used in the home by people with chronic illness.
What should I do with my sharps?
Never flush them down the toilet or place them loose into the trash. Follow these safe disposal tips:

  • Place sharps in a manufactured sharps container (available at pharmacies, medical supply stores, and medical providers) or an empty, sturdy plastic bottle with a tight fitting lid. Two-liter pop, bleach or laundry detergent bottles work well. Water bottles (made of a weaker plastic) aren’t a good choice.

  • When your container is full, secure the lid tightly. 
  • If you are using an empty plastic bottle, tape the lid for added security and write the words “sharps waste” in large letters on the bottle with a permanent marker.

  • Place the sharps container in with your trash, never with your recyclables. As an alternative, sharps can also be taken to HazoHouse.


Other Sharps Disposal Options
Some companies offer the convenience of home sharps container mailback services. The following websites provide details on starting a mailback service.

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