Returning old medicines is better for the environment

The beginning of June marked World Environment Day. In 2026, the global theme is climate change. Medicines also affect the environment. Returning old medicines to your pharmacy helps prevent residues from ending up in wastewater. We explain what you can do yourself and what we look out for.

Old medications? Turn them in to the pharmacy

Do you have any leftover or expired medicines? Don't throw them down the toilet, sink or garbage can, but hand them in to us. This prevents drug residues from entering the environment.

Medicine residues can end up in ditches, rivers and groundwater via the sewer. This is harmful to plants and animals in the water and makes purifying water more difficult. The central government reports that drug residues are bad for aquatic life and troublesome in the preparation of drinking water. Every year, more than 190,000 kilos of medicine residues end up in the sewer via urine and feces. So additional medicine waste does not belong there.

Why handing in is important

Medicines may be left over after a course of treatment, due to a change in dosage or because your doctor prescribes a different drug. Do not save them for later or give them to someone else. The effect, shelf life and proper storage are then no longer certain.

So simply return tablets, capsules, drinks, drops, creams, ointments, gels, plasters and inhalers to the pharmacy. The central government advises bringing unused medicines to the pharmacy or a collection point for small chemical waste so that they are processed safely.

This is how to deliver medicine waste safely

Remove your name and address from boxes or bottles. Continue to leave the medication in the strip, tube, jar or container. This keeps it clear which drug it is. Empty cardboard boxes and package inserts without drug residues can usually be disposed of with waste paper. Needles, syringes and injection pens belong in a safe needle container.

Check your medicine cabinet at home

Is a medicine expired, no longer needed or not sure if you can still use it? Take it with you to the pharmacy. We'll make sure old medicines are safely collected and processed.