UAEMéx Continues Medication Disposal Program to Protect Water and Soil

The Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEMéx) is currently operating its annual collection program for expired medications and empty pharmaceutical packaging, which runs through June 30. This environmental initiative, managed by the institution’s Directorate of Environmental Development, aims to prevent the contamination of local water tables and soil by ensuring that chemical residues from household medications are disposed of through authorized, high-temperature incineration or specialized hazardous waste management protocols.

Why Is Proper Medication Disposal Necessary?

Improper disposal of pharmaceuticals—such as flushing pills down the toilet or throwing them in general trash—poses significant risks to public health and the environment. According to the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS), medications that reach landfills can leach active pharmaceutical ingredients into groundwater, potentially leading to antibiotic resistance and the disruption of aquatic ecosystems. By centralizing the collection of these items, UAEMéx ensures that these substances are handled according to official Mexican standards for hazardous biological-infectious waste (RPBI), preventing them from entering the standard municipal waste stream.

What Items Are Accepted for Collection?

The university program accepts specific pharmaceutical waste items to minimize environmental impact. Participants can drop off:

• Expired or unused solid medications (tablets and capsules).
• Empty or partially full medication containers and bottles.
• Original pharmaceutical packaging and cardboard boxes.

To ensure the safety of university personnel and the efficiency of the disposal process, the institution strictly prohibits the inclusion of non-pharmaceutical hazardous materials. Prohibited items include needles, syringes, lancets, IV equipment (venoclisis), thermometers, used bandages or gauze, batteries, and diapers. These items require specialized handling outside of the scope of this particular pharmaceutical recovery campaign.

Where to Drop Off Expired Medications

The collection effort is open primarily to the university community, with several designated collection points across the state. Authorized locations include:

• UAEM Valle de Chalco University Center.
• Faculty of Behavioral Sciences.
• Nezahualcóyotl High School Plantel.
• Faculty of Urban and Regional Planning.
• Faculty of Chemistry (Colón campus).

For university departments or external campuses wishing to participate, the UAEMéx administration requires prior notification to the Directorate of Environmental Development. This coordination allows the university to organize internal campaigns and ensure that the volume of collected waste is safely transported to certified disposal facilities.

Environmental Impact and Future Outlook

This initiative represents a broader effort by the UAEMéx to align its internal operations with sustainable development goals. By diverting chemical waste from traditional landfills, the university mitigates the long-term accumulation of synthetic compounds in the local environment. While the current campaign is scheduled to conclude in June, the institution periodically updates its environmental protocols. Members of the community are encouraged to monitor official university communications for information regarding permanent collection sites or future extensions of the program.