Resistant Germs in Water Bodies: Do Not Dispose of Medications in the Toilet

According to VOEB, medical waste includes not only syringes, infusion systems, or bandages but also contaminated materials and expired medications. A small portion - such as chemicals, radioactive waste, or infectious material from hospitals - is considered particularly dangerous. These wastes must therefore be collected and disposed of separately to avoid risks to health and the environment. Thanks to thermal recovery, it is ensured that pathogens and chemical substances do not enter the groundwater.

According to VOEB, expired medications should not be placed in household waste under any circumstances. Many pharmacies take them back, as do hazardous waste collection points. Thermometers or cleaning agents must also be disposed of separately. Non-infectious materials such as creams, oils, diapers, or bandages can be disposed of in residual waste. Packaging made of glass, plastic, or paper should be disposed of as recyclables.

"Anyone who throws medications into the toilet is not just flushing away pills but is risking our health. Resistant germs can be promoted, creating an invisible but real risk for all of us," emphasizes VOEB Vice President Ingeborg Freudenthaler.

In Austria, medical waste is thermally recovered in eight incineration plants. The heat generated is used for energy production and feeds electricity and district heating networks. In total, around 46,000 tons of medical waste were collected and professionally processed in Austria in 2023.

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