Pharmaceutical Disposal#
Improper disposal of pharmaceutical medications can contribute to undesirable compounds and chemicals passing through wastewater treatment plants to local waterways, where they can have adverse impacts to wildlife and the aquatic environment.
Safe disposal practices for unused prescription and over-the-counter medications are important to keep pharmaceuticals out of water bodies. Do not flush medications down the sink or toilet.
Fort Collins Police Services offers a free and anonymous Daily Prescription Drug Take-Back Program.
Check out these additional prescription drug take-back locations.
Other Resources#
- Pharmaceuticals, Hormones, and Other Organic Wastewater Contaminants in U.S. Streams: USGS Fact Sheet FS-027-02, June 2002.
- Information about pharmaceuticals in water.
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Northern Colorado Compounds of Emerging Concern (CEC) Program
- The CEC Program is a collaborative monitoring effort designed to take a cost-effective and proactive approach to determine if pharmaceuticals, personal care products, hormones and pesticides are present in the Colorado Big-Thompson (C-BT), Windy Gap projects and other source waters of interest associated with drinking water supplies in Northern Colorado. Partners include the cities of Boulder, Broomfield, Fort Collins, Greeley, Longmont, and Loveland, Town of Estes Park and Northern Water.
Did You Know?
Using power strips to turn off selected appliances when not in use helps reduce energy use.
Fort Collins Utilities is committed to providing ‘round-the-clock, world-class service to our community. We operate 24/7/365.
Scraping your dishes clean instead of rinsing them before putting them in the dishwasher saves water.