Expired or unwanted medicines can from today – Tuesday, be deposited in specialised disposing bins located in pharmacies across Gozo and Malta, in a scheme launched by Wastserv

Minister for Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change José Herrera announced this next phase of the nationwide ‘Sort It Out’ campaign which will highlight how the correct disposal of dated or redundant medicine is the next step forward for a better and safer environment.

It was explained that medical waste is generated when the medicinal item expires or is no longer needed by the consumer. This type of waste can be dangerous, not only for the persons who handle this waste but also for the environment and therefore this type of waste should be diverted from landfills.

“With over 60% of Malta’s pharmacies participating, depositing medicinal waste at local pharmacies is a convenient solution which aims to encourage people to do the right thing. It is an effort that benefits everyone and goes a long way to making the waste management process easier, more efficient and less detrimental to the environment,” Minister José Herrera said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne said he was very happy with the project because it reflects a wide participation, not just on an inter-ministerial level, but also with government and non-government entities.

“163 private pharmacies are participating in this project till now and I am convinced that there will be more, making the project a success,” he said. “This is an important system not just with regards the disposal of expired medicines, but also health wise and from the environmentalism point of view.”

The Minister for Health concluded by calling for patients to not take more medicine than what is needed, a technological system is being introduced to make sure of this. He said that it is a bad practice to store medicine “‘just in case the need arises” because once the medicine is being used its validity is limited. He encouraged buyers to make use of this project now that is available in private pharmacies.

Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Rights, Public Cleansing and Support for the Capital City Deo Debattista explained that the Medicines Authority together with Wasteserv have introduced an advanced, free-of-charge but more secure way of how unused medicines are disposed of.

“Consumers will find specialised containers in every pharmacy which are to be used by people who want to dispose of any medications. In this way, to dispose of such waste will be simple just like putting a letter in the mailbox,” he added.

He concluded by encouraging the public to cooperate and dispose of medications in these specially designed bins to protect both the environment as well as the community we live in.

As from today – Tuesday, Wasteserv will be rolling out an educational campaign aimed at explaining what medicinal items can be recycled and which are to be disposed of in pharmacies.

Common items that should be disposed of in the medicinal waste bins located in pharmacies include loose or packaged tablets and capsules, bottled medicines, inhalers and medicinal cream tubes.

With regards to cardboard packaging, information leaflets and any plastic caps, cups or spoons included with medicines need to be placed into the grey or green recycling bag. Plastic inhaler casings are to be separated from the canister and recycled, while empty glass medicine bottles should be disposed of with glass waste.

On the other hand, empty tablets and capsules packaging, and cosmetic items should go in the black bag. Biohazardous items such as syringes and epipens need to be disposed of in a special sharps container and taken to a Civic Amenity site.

In Gozo, the pharmacies are:

Ghajnsielem Pharmacy Independence Square Ghajnsielem, Lauretana Pharmacy 36, Triq l-Imgarr Ghajnsielem, Fontana Pharmacy Fontana Str. Fontana, St. Joseph Pharmacy 28, Pjazza San Guzepp Qala, Nadur Pharmacy Pjazza it-28 ta’ April 1688 Nadur, Abela’s Pharmacy 42, Triq G.P.F. Agius De Soldanis Victoria, Azzopardi Pharmacy Triq il-Kapuccini Victoria, Batu Pharmacy 38, Triq Palma Victoria, Castle Pharmacy 2, Misrah l-Indipendenza Victoria, Palm Pharmacy 2, Triq Palma Victoria, Tac-Cawla Pharmacy Triq 7 ta’ Gunju 1919 Victoria, Pisani Pharmacy Bini Gdid, Triq Sannat Sannat, Joyce’s Pharmacy Vjal it-8 ta’ Settembru Xaghra, Xaghra Pharmacy 55, Triq il-Knisja Xaghra, Gozo Chemists Mgarr Road Xewkija Sokkors Pharmacy Triq San Girgor Kercem, Ta’ Pinu Pharmacy 23, Triq Frangsik Portelli Gharb and Tony’s Pharmacy “Egret Court,” Triq il-Wied Marsalforn

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