Pharmaceuticals in Wastewater

Safely Dispose of Unwanted Drugs

Don't flush unwanted drugs

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Pierce County

Public Works and Utilities

Pharmaceuticals are an important part of maintaining human health but they can also create a safety hazard and pollute the environment.

In response to rising rates of prescription drug abuse and the need for safe drug disposal programs, local law enforcement and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency created a drug take back program.

The program provides free anonymous collection of unwanted or expired medicines. See below for details.

Locations

Take Back Locations:

Pierce County Sheriff's Department - South Hill Precinct
271 John Bananola Way East
Puyallup, WA 98375
(just east of Meridian near 160th St. E.

University Place Police Department
3631 Drexler Dr. W, Suite A
University Place, WA 98466
(behind Homestead Park)

Sumner City Hall (inside)
1104 Maple St.
Sumner, WA 98390

MORE Pierce County locations

How to Return Drugs in Pierce County

Take-back programs in Washington: Take Back Your Meds

Pharmaceuticals in the Environment

Flushing drugs down the toilet sends them directly to the wastewater treatment plant. Even medicines placed in the garbage may escape into the environment when landfill liquids are sent to a treatment facility.

Wastewater treatment systems are very effective at removing solids and harmful bacteria but they were not designed to remove pharmaceuticals.

A 2008 study by the Washington Department of Ecology and the EPA measured pharmaceuticals in five municipal wastewater treatment plants that discharge to Washington state water bodies. The study found pharmaceuticals in treated wastewater and biosolids from all five plants.

Drug take back programs are a good way to reduce the amount of medicines entering the environment.