Home Generated Non-Controlled Pharmaceutical Disposal

Curbside continues to be a strong proponent of programs that help keep our environment safe from harmful pollutants. We operate with a strong sense of responsibility to recycle all waste streams to the highest degree possible. When recycling is not possible, as is the case with non-controlled pharmaceutical waste, we design rigorous programs that manage this waste safely and securely from the source through final destruction.

HOME GENERATED NON-CONTROLLED PHARMACEUTICAL WASTE

Curbside offers several home generated non-controlled pharmaceutical collection programs. Collection at the home as part of the Door-to-Door HHW program, collection from strategically placed drop-boxes and at events. The drop-box program has two aspects, placement at public facilities and/or pharmacies. The concept is described here. 

Click here to read about the new take back program for home generated non-controlled pharmaceuticals, endorsed by the Orange County Pharmacists Association that uses Curbside's drop box and disposal system.

Curbside Inc. is managing a pilot program for the collection and destruction of home generated non-controlled pharmaceuticals.  The new "take-back" program launched November 2009.  

GOVERNMENT SPONSORED DROP-BOX PROGRAM

Curbside's drop-box was designed by Curbside for use by government agencies and pharmacies for the collection of home generated non-controlled pharmaceutical waste. The boxes can be placed at libraries, city hall, senior centers or other locations where people congregate. The drop-box must be placed inside of a building that can be secured when the facility is closed. Curbside will visit the box as necessary to remove the waste. The box will accept original containers, liquid and solid. A listing of controlled substances is attached to the drop-box so that participants can be sure that they are not leaving controlled substances.

PHARMACY COLLECTION PROGRAM

Working with local pharmacies and public agencies, Curbside's private-public partnership concept helps the public by providing a safe and convenient location for the disposal of their waste non-controlled pharmaceuticals.

Specially designed "drop-boxes" are placed in participating pharmacies. These boxes are manufactured to our specifications in the U.S. of heavy steel with double locks. The pharmacy has one key for one of the locks and Curbside controls the other. No employee ever touches medicines. When the Curbside employee arrives, a pharmacy employee follows our employee to our vehicle in the parking lot. At that point, the waste is dumped into our purpose built destruction unit that reduces the waste to powder and small pieces of containers.

The destroyed waste is shipped for high temperature destruction. To comply with federal law, a list of controlled substances is attached to the unit for participants to review. This program accepts only non-controlled pharmaceuticals.

The drop-box can be rented or purchased. A transportation fee is assessed each time we visit the box and a charge based upon the weight of the waste is added to the transportation fee. The frequency of service is adjusted to ensure that the box is serviced when needed. There are no minimum fees.

The program is designed for the pharmacy to absorb the cost of the waste disposal while the public agency advertises to the public that they can dispose of their waste without a fee by taking it to the participating pharmacy. The partner public agency receives reports on the total weight of waste collected for their records. If a public agency has funding and would like to assist the pharmacy with the drop-box rental or disposal so much the better.

PHARMACEUTICAL COLLECTION EVENTS (non-controlled waste only)

Curbside can organize an event for a public agency where residents are directed to a senior center or parking lot where they can dispose of their unwanted, non-controlled pharmaceuticals. The waste materials are destroyed on site. If held at a senior center, participants bring their waste to a table set up inside the building or just outside. This allows them to stay in the building for other activities. Our destruction equipment is located just outside.

A parking lot event is similar to an HHW event, participants drive up to the designated spot, drop their waste into pails and leave. The pails are poured into the destruction machine. Signed documentation at both events provides proof that no controlled substances were accepted. The event is priced on a not to exceed basis.  Generally a fixed price is provided, which makes budgeting easy. See the ad describing Buena Park California's event. Read about the City of Riverside event.

LEGAL ISSUES

Curbside has researched legal issues regarding the collection of non-controlled home generated pharmaceutical waste. The programs outlined are in compliance with federal and state laws. If you are interested in our findings please go to our page on legal issues for more information.