(Representational cover image courtesy ACS)

Every household has them — expired strips of paracetamol, leftover antibiotics from last year’s flu, or a syrup bottle that was opened and forgotten. Most of us either flush these down the toilet or toss them in the bin. But did you know that these small actions can have a big impact on our environment?

The hidden threat in your medicine cabinet

India is one of the largest producers and consumers of pharmaceuticals globally. According to a study by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India generates approximately 484 tonnes of biomedical waste per day, a significant chunk of which includes unused and expired medicines from homes, clinics and pharmacies. Unfortunately, there is no formal nationwide system for collecting and safely disposing of household medicines.

When medicines are flushed or dumped in landfills, their active ingredients can seep into soil and water, harming aquatic life and contaminating our drinking water. Studies have noted that improper disposal contributes to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which makes common infections harder to treat.

In Bengaluru alone, gaps in biomedical waste management have led to medicines being mixed with general waste, often ending up in open dumps or being burned in the open, releasing toxic fumes and posing risks to waste pickers and residents.

So, what can you do?

In India, the absence of drug take-back programmes makes disposal tricky, but there are safer ways to manage........

© The Better India