Mcheer

You can take them back to the pharmacy that you got them from and they properly dispose of them. That is what we have done

morgan

We take them back to the pharmacy or to the local fire station.

Beckyrs

I am always at a loss when it comes to disposing of pills but paint I know what to do! LOL Most recycling centers will not take latex paint (usually used indoors) so I was told to a) buy a bag of cat litter and mix it up in the paint until it hardens of b) leave the top off the can and let it dry out.
Gotta love buying an old house and everyone leaves a ton of old paint in the ugliest colors imaginable.

BigNutbrownHare

Um, yeah, this is what I do every day for the EPA. I tell people where to take their stuff. I am going to copy and paste from my answers to EPA emails - they are pretty detailed... sorry.

Household Medications

With regard to disposal of old medications, EPA has previously stated that rinsing the bottles and flushing this type of waste down a toilet may be the most appropriate method of disposal. Additionally, most pharmacists recommend flushing expired tablets and capsules down the toilet (Memo, Petruska to Wilson; November 28, 1990 (RO 13432)).

Additional guidance on the disposal of medications is available from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), available at the following URL:

Office of National Drug Control Policy -- Publicat

(Note from Ally - Yes, EPA and ONDCP contradict each other. They have different perspectives/program focus. Follow whichever you are most comfortable with. Neither have been willing to bow to the other.)

The following frequently asked question discusses the EPA guidelines for the safe disposal of medical sharps:

Title: How should medical sharps be disposed?
URL: Waste: Find an Answer

Additional guidance for consumers is available in the following document:
Protect Yourself, Protect Others: Safe Options for Home Needle Disposal (RO 51096)

This document is also available in the RCRA Online database by selecting the Advanced Search option and searching by the RCRA Online (RO) number at the following URL:

RCRA Online | Waste | US EPA

Although EPA provides these guidelines, medications and medical sharps are not regulated by the Federal EPA under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). State implementing agencies are tasked with developing the regulations for management and disposal of this type of waste. Therefore, you should contact your state implementing agency directly for additional information on sharps disposal. Links to state medical waste Web sites are located at the following URL:

Where You Live | Medical Waste | Wastes | US EPA

General information about the regulation of medical waste is available at the following URL:

Medical Waste | Wastes | US EPA

mcbean

Send it to me. My throat is killing me. I'd give my right arm for some Vicodin.

BigNutbrownHare

And now paint (along with household hazardous wastes in general):

Household Hazardous Wastes

You should contact your local waste management company to find out about household hazardous waste management in your community. Many communities have special pickup days/collection centers for items such as these.

The following frequently asked questions provide basic information for the disposal of paint and other household hazardous wastes:

Title: How should paint be disposed? Is it a hazardous waste?
URL: Waste: Find an Answer

Title: What materials are not safe to throw in my trash?
URL: Waste: Find an Answer

Additionally, Earth 911 provides local information on the safe disposal or reuse of household hazardous waste. You will be asked to choose the type of household hazardous waste you have and enter your zip code to retrieve local information. Earth 911 is available at the following URL:

Earth 911 » Making Every Day Earth Day, Reduce, R

We also recommend that you contact your local and state organizations for additional information on household hazardous waste disposal. Most states are authorized to implement the Federal RCRA regulations, so they may have programs in place that are broader or more stringent than the Federal regulations. In addition, they will be more familiar with facilities in your area that can accept your waste. State hazardous and solid waste contacts are available at the following URL:

Contact Us | Wastes | US EPA

BigNutbrownHare

Okay, what other environmental questions do you girls have????

quigs

None right now but let me just say again that you totally rock, Ally!!

lapoissonne

LOL. I have a bottle of Norco. Same stuff but less Tylenol.

KeriKadi

Well I don't really want to fly to NC to give them back to the pharmacy we got them from

I found a Super Target today but the pharmacist was busy. I'll be going back Thursday and will ask.

I think I"ll have DH ask at Lowe's the next time he is there. Surely they have to dispose of paint.
I would imagine a lot has changed over the years so I'm not surprised that different agencies disagree. That one quote was dated 1990. I am sure a lot has changed since then
Great info Ally! I appreciate it.
I think it may vary from area though so I think it's best to check to see what my locals do. I'll let you guys know what I find out.