Hazardous Materials

Hazards
- May infect other people who come in contact with trash.
-Unwanted or expired medicines of pharmaceuticals could be harmful to children or adults. Unused pharmaceuticals found in the trash may be stolen for unregulated use.
-Antibiotics poured down the drain can kill beneficial microbes and bacteria in septic systems.

Handling
-Keep Sharp objects such as needles, syringes, and lancelets in secure containers out of the reach of children. Do not use glass.
-Click here for Morris County specific issues related to medical waste.

Management Options / Disposal Options
-Please do not dispose of household medications and medical waste (lancets, needles, and syringes) in the garbage, recycling, nor bring them to the Department of Public Works yard.
-The Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) has a comprehensive Household Hazardous Waste program that will accept your used and unwanted medications and medical waste. There are a number of programs and locations to take advantage of. Including the Morris Township Police Department's "Medication Return Box" located at the Police Department. For more information please see below.
-If you cannot dispose of unwanted medicines using disposal programs, you may place only medicines and/or drugs in the trash. Note: this is not the preferred method. If disposing of medicines in the trash, destroy(crush/pulverize) the medicine rendering it undesirable, tightly wrap and place in the trash. Click here to read NJDEP describing this technique of disposing old medicines in the trash. Do not flush medicines down the toilet or pour into the sink.