Can you recycle medicines (unused or expired)?

Unused and out-of-date medicines — tablets, liquids, creams, patches — should be returned to any community pharmacy, which must accept them free for incineration. Never flush medicines or put them in bins: they pollute waterways and pose poisoning risks. Keep them in original packaging for the pharmacist; empty bottles and popped blister packs then follow packaging rules.

Tips

• Any pharmacy takes them, no questions
• Keep in original packs so pharmacists can identify them
• Do a medicine-cabinet clear-out once a year

Which bin does it go in?

Return to ANY pharmacy — never bins, never the toilet

Background: Batteries, vapes & electricals: the fire-risk items.

Also searched as: old tablets, expired medication, prescription drugs.