Ahead of World Environment Day on 5 June, global healthcare company Sanofi Australia has announced a partnership with Return Unwanted Medicines (The RUM Project).
The partnership aims to raise awareness of the environmental impact of the incorrect disposal of unused and expired medicines. 
“We know that people want to do the right thing for the planet, but there is a considerable knowledge gap on the responsible disposal of medicines,” says country lead, Sanofi Australia and New Zealand Karen Hood.
“That’s why we’re proud to partner with The RUM Project. Together, our pursuit is to encourage all Australians to dispose of unwanted medicines responsibly via their local pharmacy, and to help improve the treatment of our planet.”
Throwing away unwanted and out-of-date medicines can have a significant impact on the environment, including our waterways.
This is especially concerning given that 70% of Australians are currently unaware of how to safely dispose of medicines, and 60% of people have unwanted medicine in their homes.
Sanofi is the only medicines and vaccines company to currently partner with The RUM Project, a not-for-profit scheme, funded by the Commonwealth Government, operating across Australia.
The RUM Project partners with pharmacies, which collect unwanted medicines via specialised bins at no cost to consumers.
Returned medicines are then safely disposed of in accordance with regulatory and Environment Protection Agency requirements.
The work of The RUM Project and pharmacists helps prevent medicines from being disposed of inappropriately, including down the toilet or sink, or thrown out with household garbage, which may end up in waterways or landfills and negatively impact the environment.
“We’re very pleased to be working alongside Sanofi Australia on this important campaign,” says pharmacist and project manager at The RUM Project Toni Riley.
“We’re both committed to educating Australians about how they can be environmentally friendly in a way they might not have considered before.
“Keeping expired or unwanted medications and vitamins in your home can also be dangerous, as it increases the chance of people, including small children or pets, accidentally reaching them.
“Disposing of your unwanted medication and vitamins is easy. Just take them to your local participating pharmacy and they will be safely disposed of.
“It’s good for your health, for your family and for the environment.
“Don’t throw them in the bin or flush them down the toilet – we have a system that is safe and stops them contaminating waterways.”
