Kansas State University Intern Promotes Safe Disposal of Medications in Saline County

MANHATTAN, Kan. — For years, what seemed like the easiest and best way to dispose of excess or expired medications was to flush them down the toilet, but that may not be the most appropriate method, according to the Food and Drug Administration and other environmental experts.

“National studies have shown this common technique can negatively impact aquatic life,” said Wayne Larson, who is working as an intern with Kansas State University’s Pollution Prevention Institute (PPI).

“Proper and timely disposal of excess, expired or discontinued medication also helps eliminate the possibility medication may be improperly used.”

To promote alternative actions and child safety, Larson, who is a University of Kansas senior from Wichita, is spending a portion of the summer visiting retail pharmacies in Saline County. He distributes posters that explain two environmentally-preferred disposal techniques for medications, as well as how residents can help increase their child’s safety by cleaning out their medicine cabinets.

“Saline County residents can utilize the most preferred option by taking their medication to the Saline County Sheriff’s Office at 251 N. 10^th Street in Salina, and the service is free,” Larson said. “Residents can guarantee the safety of their children, pets and environment by allowing the Sheriff’s Office to dispose of their medications,” said Saline County Sheriff Glen Kochanowski.

If residents cannot take their medication to the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, they can use the kitty litter or coffee ground method recommended by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

This involves crushing or dissolving solid medications in water, coffee or another liquid, then making a paste by adding this liquid to a substance like coffee grounds or kitty litter, Larson said.  The final step is to put the paste in a closed container and place the container in the trash.

This project, which is hosted by the PPI, is funded by the Kansas Health Foundation. Established in 1995 as a part of the K-State College of Engineering, the institute provides free, non-regulatory technical assistance, and training in pollution prevention and environmental compliance.

More information on disposing of medications is available on the FDA Web site: http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/drug_disposal062308.html.

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