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MICROWAVE

The problem

Reduce

Reuse

Recycle

Medication

The problem

•  What is a safe way to dispose of medications that are no longer needed? Can they be placed in the trash?
  • Yes. Certainly no risk of miniscule amounts of a medicine leaching out within a landfill.  The  CONTAINERS, however,  seem like they should be able to be recycled.  Perhaps they can be reused/recycled by the pharmacy-- just ask them.
• Can they be returned to a pharmacy or somewhere else?
  • The medicine itself, no (once opened).  Even medical clinics in underserved areas won't except  "leftovers". The containers, probably.
• How hard and fast is the expiration date?
  • "when in doubt, throw it out". Risk to the planet of throwing out- minimal. Risk to yourself for not throwing out- more than minimal.  To be honest though, the biggest problem with expired meds is that they won't be as potent/effective (not that they undergo so chemical process making them harmful all of a sudden).

Reduce

Reuse

•  can use Rx containers to store stuff 1) around desk, 2) matches, other small objects when camping

Recycle

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The problem

Reduce

Reuse

Recycle