Avoiding Landfill: How to Responsibly Dispose of Blister Packs, Pills, and Gum
Blister packs, pills, and gum can all be disposed of in different ways to avoid the landfill responsibly:
- Blister packs: Blister packs are usually made of a combination of plastic and aluminum. To recycle blister packs, first remove the pills or medication from the pack. Then, separate the plastic from the aluminum. The aluminum can be recycled with other metal items, while the plastic can be recycled with other plastic packaging.
- Pills: Expired or unused pills should not be thrown in the trash, flushed down the toilet, or poured down the drain, as they can contaminate water sources. Instead, check if your local pharmacy or police station has a medication take-back program where you can safely dispose of them. If not, mix the pills with an undesirable substance like coffee grounds or kitty litter, then seal them in a plastic bag and dispose of them in the regular trash.
- Gum: Gum is not recyclable and should not be thrown in recycling bins. Instead, wrap the used gum in a piece of paper or tissue and dispose of it in the regular trash.