To prevent harm to our environment, never flush medicines down the toilet or the sink.  Water treatment plants do not remove the medicines from the waste water. Medicines may still be present in the clean effluent returned to the Bay and may harm aquatic organisms and eventually fish and wildlife along the food chain. The presence of some pharmaceuticals has been linked to abnormalities and impaired reproductive performance in some aquatic species.

U.S. Geological Survey studies have found medicines, including hormone medications, antidepressants, and antibiotics, in our nation's waterways. These medicines are from improper disposal of unwanted drugs flushed down sinks and toilets, as well as medicines excreted in human waste. Scientists are studying the possible impacts on humans and marine life when exposed to these drugs.  

Medicines are considered hazardous waste and should not to be flushed down drains. You can minimize potential problems by safely disposing of unused medicines.

How do I dispose of unused or outdated medicines?

1. Check for special days offered by the City for medications disposal.  Click on Events under Related Links (left).
2. Check with your medical provider or pharmacy for take-back programs for patients and customers.
3. Take medications to the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant, 2501 Embarcadero Way, Palo Alto, CA (650-329-2598)
4. Visit the County's Household Hazardous Waste website at www.hhw.org for a list of drop-off locations offered to all residents. The closest facility to Mountain View is the Valley Health Center Pharmacy at 690 S. Fair Oaks near El Camino Real, Sunnyvale.
5. Residents may also safely dispose of medicines in the trash as a last resort. The trash is contained in a sanitary landfill.
6. NEVER FLUSH MEDICATIONS DOWN THE TOILET OR IN THE SINK because medicines can pollute our waterways, harming fish and wildlife.

How do I dispose of sharps?

State law prohibits a person from placing home-generated sharps in their trash or recycling containers.  Home-generated sharps are defined as disposable hypodermic needles, syringes, lancets, and other medical devices used for self-injection or blood test. 

To safely dispose of your used home-generated sharps, place them in a biohazard sharps container.  There are a few places to safely dispose of sharps:

1. Contact your personal physician, clinic administrator, or pharmacist and ask if they have a take-back program in place. 
2. If you purchase sharps on-line, please remember to request a pre-addressed, prepaid mail-back box for your used sharps. 
3. Residents may drop off sharps at the SMaRT Station, 301 Carl Road, Sunnyvale, at the Drop Off Center (red metal dumpster).
4. The Countywide Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program also accepts home-generated sharps.
5. Click on www.hhw.org for a list of drop-off locations and other important information about approved sharps containers.