I would like to share with you the Department of Environmental Protection's newly developed guidelines for Proper Disposal of Household Medication. Over the counter and prescription medications should not be disposed down the drain. Properly disposing of unwanted and expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications in the trash promotes a healthy aquatic environment and prevents accidental poisoning and intentional abuse.

To decrease the amount of pharmaceuticals entering the aquatic environment, all residents should dispose of excess, expired, or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medication by following these four simple steps:

(1) Keep medicine in its original container. Mark out personal information on prescription bottles.
(2) Mix with water and coffee grinds, cat litter, or dirt.
(3) Place bottles in an opaque container, like a yogurt container and secure lid; or wrap in a dark colored plastic bag.
(4) Hide the container in the trash. Do NOT recycle.

Following these four simple steps promotes a healthy aquatic environment and prevents accidental poisoning and intentional abuse.

Attached is a PDF flyer illustrating the four simple steps to follow to properly dispose of household medication; to view the guidelines on the DEP website visit http://www.nj.gov/dep/docs/Prescription_Med_Disposal.pdf.

If you have questions please contact Julie Townsend of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Local Environmental Management at 609-292-1305 or Julie.Townsend@dep.state.nj.us.