Colorado Medication Take-Back Pilot Project is a network of secure boxes for the collection of unused and unwanted household medications.
Why shouldn’t I just put expired medications in the trash or down the drain?
Recently there have been many reports about the disposal of expired medications and their effect on the environment. Traditionally, the public has been advised to either flush medications down the toilet or put them in the trash, but these options are no longer recommended. Some studies, including those conducted in waterways near Denver, suggest that when medications are disposed of in the trash or down the drain, they can find their way into our waterways and have a negative impact on fish and other aquatic life. Waste water treatment plants are not designed to remove low concentrations of synthetic pollutants like those found in many medications, so please do not dispose of expired medications down the drain or toilet.
If you choose not to use one of the secure disposal boxes or the City's Household Hazardous Waste program and must dispose of your expired medications in the trash, the City recommends that you mix them with kitty litter or dirt in a bag or container first. This helps prevent prescription drug abuse and protects our watersheds from chemical contamination.