People are just starting to understand the impact that discarded pharmaceuticals and personal care products have on the environment.  In a recent survey from Oregon State University, 191 pet owners were surveyed and almost 50 percent placed unused veterinary care products and medicine in the garbage.

PPCPs (pharmaceutical and personal care products) are used by almost everyone and most wastewater treatment plants are not able to completely deactivate many of the compounds they include.  Chemicals from PPCPs for people and pets are being found at low levels in groundwater and surface water; anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, antibiotics, estrogens, insect repellant, antimicrobials, and sunscreen compounds are among what’s being detected.

We need to do our part to dispose of these items properly!  Whenever possible PLEASE take your unused or expired prescription drugs into a facility that can do this.  In Napa, CA the Coroner’s office at 1535 Airport Blvd collects prescriptions drugs YEAR ROUND AND FREE OF CHARGE M-F 8AM-4:30PM at the front counter.  No need to call ahead of time, you can just bring them in during those hours.

If you are not located in Napa County then you can check this website for collection sites on April 28, 2018 (National Prescription Drug Take Back Day) and click on Locate a Collection Site Near You.  Many cities create prescription drug take-back events on this day and post them here .

If you are unable to bring your prescription drugs to a site that will dispose of them properly then please read this informational guide put together by the Environmental Protection Agency about how to dispose of these products at home.  There are very specific instructions here.  This is of course not recommended unless you are absolutely unable to bring them to an appropriate facility.

Thank you so much for reading and please do your part to help our environment!

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to contact us at 707-535-9979 or email Dr. Kim at kschmidt@napaholisticvet.com