Do you know how to dispose of your pet’s unused medicine? A curious cat or determined dog might get into medication tossed in the trash. Flushing medicine down the toilet or sink is also a bad idea because chemicals end up in the water supply.

Your best bet is to look for a collection site at unwantedmeds.org. If you can’t find one nearby, you may have to dispose of medication in a landfill. But first, follow a few steps. Keep medication in its original bottle and don’t crush tablets or open capsules. Add cat litter or coffee grounds and replace the bottle’s lid tightly. Black out personal information on the label, but leave the drug’s name and dosage. Place the bottle in a leak-proof container and seal it. Finally, dispose of the medication on the day of trash pickup.

Remember, medicine can hurt, not help, if disposed of improperly.