Environment
Disposal of medical products
Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) program
By regularly returning old and unwanted medicines to any pharmacy you can help protect your health and the environment.
Medicines and the environment - the facts
40% of NSW adults admit to having out-of-date medicines in their home.*
Research shows that an estimated 2.5 million adults in NSW discard medicines into the rubbish bin, 500,000 use the sink and 650,000 use the toilet.*
Each year it is estimated that a minimum of 200 tonnes of medicines - enough to fill 850 wheely bins, are inappropriately disposed of each year via drains or garbage bins.
Many of the chemicals contained in medicines may harm the environment if they reach waterways.
Disposal of unwanted medications
Do not dispose of medicines down drains or with household garbage.
Regularly check medicines stored in the home and return any old and unwanted products to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
The NSW Government has funded a community awareness program to educate NSW residents about the Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) Program. The program offers a free community service that encourages consumers to regularly return their old and unwanted medicines to any pharmacy for safe disposal. Medicines collected by pharmacists throughout Australia are disposed of through the program. For more information, ask your pharmacist, contact RUM on 1300 650 835, email rum@rumconnect.com.au.
* Facts derived from research undertaken by Newspoll 2002.
Syringe disposal
The syringes must be in an appropriate rigid container when presented to the pharmacy - eg like a soft drink or detergant bottle. Loose needles will not be accepted. Diabetic and other used, non-illegal drug syringes can be taken to the pharmacies listed on the right for disposal at no cost.
Last Modified: 13/01/2009
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Syringe disposal locations
Return your old unwanted medicines to any pharmacy for free and safe disposal
Phone: 1300 650 835
Balgownie Village Pharmacy, Balgownie.
Phone: 4284 4027
Lowcocks Pharmacy, Helensburgh.
Phone: 4294 2772
Hussain Pharmacy, Bellambi.
Phone: 4284 3985
Bowden's Port Kembla Pharmacy, Port Kembla.
Phone: 4274 2044
Berkeley Pharmacy Healthsense, Berkerley.
Phone: 4271 1258
Doug Smith Soul Pattinsons Pharmacy, Thirroul.
Phone: 4267 1038
Andrew's Pharmacy, Corrimal.
Phone: 4284 4445
Unanderra Pharmacy, Unanderra.
Phone: 4271 1204
Murray's Pharmacy, Cringila.
Phone: 4274 1977
Guardian Centre Pharmacy, Unanderra.
Phone: 4271 1020
Night and Day Pharmacy, Warrawong.
Phone: 4274 2969
Hospital Hill Pharmacy, Wollongong.
Phone: 4229 5868
Blooms the Chemist, Dapto.
Phone: 4261 7043
Wollongong City Pharmacy, Wollongong.
Phone: 4229 5724
Coates and Kahler Chemist, Fairy Meadow.
Phone: 4284 4558
Windang Pharmacy, Windang.
Phone: 4295 1901
Figtree Plaza Chemist, Figtree.
Phone: 4228 5641
Woonona Pharmacy, Woonona.
Phone: 4284 2306
Blooms the Chemist, Figtree.
Phone: 4229 5847
Soul Patinsons Pharmacy, Warrawong.
Phone: 4274 1119
Gwynneville Pharmacy, Gwynneville.
Phone: 4229 4287