How to Safely Dispose of Old Medications in Ottawa

Flushing old pills down the toilet or tossing them in the trash can harm Ottawa's waterways and communities. Here is everything you need to know about responsible medication disposal.

Why You Should Never Flush Medications

It might seem harmless to flush an old prescription down the toilet or rinse liquid medication down the drain, but this practice has a direct and documented impact on the environment. Pharmaceutical compounds are not fully removed by Ottawa's wastewater treatment systems, meaning trace amounts of antibiotics, hormones, antidepressants, and painkillers end up in the Ottawa River and surrounding waterways. Studies across Canada and worldwide have detected pharmaceutical residues in rivers, lakes, and even drinking water sources at low but measurable concentrations.

These compounds can disrupt aquatic ecosystems — affecting fish hormone regulation, contributing to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment, and potentially entering the food chain. Even small amounts, repeated over time by thousands of households, add up to a measurable environmental burden. The simple step of properly disposing of your medications can make a meaningful difference.

Why the Trash Is Not a Safe Option Either

Throwing medications directly into household garbage carries its own serious risks:

• ✓Children or pets may accidentally access medications in garbage bags or bins before pickup
• ✓Medications in landfill can leach into groundwater over time, particularly liquids and crushed tablets
• ✓Controlled substances — such as opioids — left in household trash are a target for theft and misuse
• ✓Some medications are classified as hazardous waste and require special handling to avoid soil and water contamination

Ottawa's Medication Disposal Programs

Ontario has one of the most comprehensive medication take-back programs in North America. Through the Ontario Medications Return Program, operated by the Medicines Return Program and supported by participating pharmacies across the province, residents can return virtually any unused or expired medication — for free, no questions asked.

In Ottawa and the surrounding area, including Nepean, Barrhaven, and Kanata, the program is available at participating community pharmacies. The medications are collected, transported, and disposed of using regulated pharmaceutical waste processes that are safe for both people and the environment.

The program accepts the vast majority of medications including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements. Aerosol inhalers, liquids, and patches are also part of the program. There is no fee and no limit on quantity for household returns.

Tartan Pharmacy Accepts Your Unused Medications

Tartan Pharmacy at 1 Tartan Drive, Unit 4, Nepean participates in Ontario's medication return program. You can bring in any of the following at no cost:

• ✓Prescription medications — including controlled substances such as opioids
• ✓Over-the-counter drugs — cold medicines, pain relievers, allergy medications, and more
• ✓Vitamins and supplements — old multivitamins, herbal supplements, and similar products
• ✓Medicated patches & liquids — fentanyl patches, nicotine patches, liquid medications, and syrups
• ✓Inhalers — metered-dose inhalers and other aerosol medication devices
• ✓Pet medications — unused animal medications can also be returned for safe disposal

Simply bring your medications in their original containers if possible — but loose pills in a bag are also accepted. There is no paperwork, no appointment, and no judgment. Our team will handle the rest.

What About Sharps and Needles?

Sharps — including insulin syringes, pen needles, lancets, and auto-injector devices — require special handling and cannot be placed in regular household recycling or garbage. Improperly discarded sharps pose a needle-stick injury risk to waste handlers and the public.

In Ottawa, sharps disposal options include:

• ✓Using an approved sharps disposal container (available at pharmacies) and returning it to a participating drop-off location
• ✓Ottawa Public Health drop-off locations for sharps containers
• ✓Some pharmacies that accept sharps containers for safe disposal
• ✓The Ottawa needle syringe program for injection drug users — available at several community health sites

Please call us at 613-823-8030 for the most up-to-date information on sharps disposal availability at our Nepean location. We are happy to direct you to the nearest option if we cannot accommodate your sharps container at the time of your visit.

Tips for Managing Expired Medications at Home

A little organization can prevent medications from piling up and expiring unused. Here are practical tips from our pharmacists at Tartan:

• ✓Do a medicine cabinet cleanout twice a year — when clocks change in spring and fall is an easy reminder
• ✓Check expiry dates before taking any medication; expired drugs may be less effective and occasionally harmful
• ✓Store medications properly — most prefer a cool, dry place away from bathrooms and kitchens where humidity is high
• ✓Never share prescription medications with family members; a medication prescribed for one person may be harmful for another
• ✓Keep a list of your current medications and share it with your pharmacist for regular medication reviews
• ✓If you have leftover antibiotics, return them immediately — never save them for a future illness

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