Maine considers requiring drug companies to take back unused medicines and safely discard them

Even if you’re careful, drugs can end up in water

PORTLAND, Maine — A study in Maine shows that unused or expired medications that are thrown into the trash are showing up in landfill water, potentially putting aquatic life at risk.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection found tiny amounts of discarded drugs in water at three landfills in the state, confirming suspicions that pharmaceuticals thrown into household trash are ending up in landfills.

Officials say the drugs aren’t a threat to drinking water supplies, but could pose a risk to aquatic life because the landfill water ends up in rivers after being treated at wastewater treatment plants.

The survey results are being made known as state lawmakers consider a bill that would require drug manufacturers to develop and pay for a program to collect unused prescription and over-the-counter drugs from residents and dispose of them.