Operation MedSafe aims to help New Braunfels residents safely dispose of medications

New Braunfels Utilities, or NBU, will host Operation MedSafe on Oct. 3, a free event where residents can bring unused or expired medications for safe disposal.

What residents should know

The event will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at the NBU Service Center, located at 355 FM 306, according to a news release. Medications allowed in their original containers include:

• Over-the-counter pills

• Tablets

• Capsules

• Patches

• Liquids

• Powders

Medications that will not be accepted include:

• Unused preloaded auto-injectors

• Asthma inhalers

• Compressed cylinders or other aerosol products

• Iodine-containing medications

• Mercury-containing thermometers

Law enforcement officers will be at the event to collect the medications and make sure they are properly disposed of, according to the release.

Why it matters

NBU organized Operation MedSafe in an effort to keep medications out of the water supply. The initiative helps prevent the accidental ingestion or misuse of medications and keeps them from being flushed or poured down drains, where they could enter the water supply, according to the release.