Denver’s Household Hazardous Waste Program now accepts expired medications!

Denver residents can dispose of their expired medications properly with their Household Hazardous Waste collection. Residents should note that in order to make the most effective use of the City’s HHW collection budget, you must have a minimum of three different materials before calling for a pickup. When calling the HHW hotline, 800-HHW-PKUP (800-449-7587) to request a collection, simply let the operator know that you have expired medications you would like to include with your other household hazardous materials for disposal.  A collection Kit will be mailed to you and will include a small baggie for expired medications in pill or capsule form only.  Once collected by the HHW program, the medications will be destroyed in a federally regulated furnace.  The HHW program is prohibited from collecting controlled substances or medications still in their bottles.

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 the 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.