Pharmaceuticals Disposal
Most households have medications that are no longer taken, are old, have expired, or were used by someone who is deceased. It is not good to flush these down the drain. Treatment facilities do not remove medicines from waste water. Many of these medications contain harmful compounds. Microconstituents, like synthetic estrogen, are endocrine disruptors that can interfere with the hormone processes in wildlife. Sedatives can affect central nervous system activity. Antibiotics can lead to antibiotic-resistant strains of harmful bacteria.
It is important to dispose of unwanted medications properly. Flushing expired or unwanted medicine down the drain may harm San Francisco Bay and the aquatic species that depend on Bay Area waters. Here are two alternatives:
- Check with your pharmacy or the pharmacy where the prescription was filled. Many pharmacies now have pharmaceutical take-back programs for expired and unwanted medications. If your pharmacy does not have a take-back program, the staff will likely know the location of one nearby.
- There are nine facilities in Contra Costa County that accept household medications for proper disposal free of charge.
- City of Concord - Police Department
1350 Galindo Street, Concord - Contra Costa Regional Medical Center Sheriff's Substation
2500 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez - Contra Costa County Sheriff's Field Operations Building
1980 Muir Road, Martinez - Walnut Creek City Hall
1666 North Main Street, Walnut Creek - City of Clayton - Police Department
6000 Heritage Trail, Clayton - City of Martinez
525 Henrietta Street, Martinez - Town of Moraga
329 Rheem Blvd., Moraga - City of Orinda
22 Orinda Way, Orinda - City of Pleasant Hill
330 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill
- City of Concord - Police Department