The Deterra Drug Deactivation System is a simple, convenient, and cost-effective way to dispose of unused or expired drugs at home.
At-home drug disposal with the patented Deterra® Drug Deactivation System is the simplest and most effective way to keep drugs out of our lakes, rivers, streams and drinking water. It’s also a cost-effective and simple way to keep drugs away from children and other household members.
Why Safe Drug Disposal Matters
Every day, 2,500 kids begin abusing a prescription medication. One-third of people aged 12 and over began using drugs for the first time by using a prescription drug for non-medical purposes.
Improperly stored or disposed medications can easily fall into the wrong hands, which is why safe drug disposal has become such an important part of combating the opioid epidemic.
How the Deterra® System Works
The patented Deterra® System is powered by proprietary MAT12® Molecular Adsorption Technology.
In a scientifically proven, simple 3-step process, the Deterra pouch can render drugs inert, preventing their misuse. This process is permanent, meaning that once the pouch is sealed, the drugs cannot be retrieved or reactivated.
As a bonus, the Deterra patented technology protects the environment from the effects of non-inert drugs that can still have active compounds that leach into the ground or water.
A Simple and Effective Process
Each patented Deterra pouch contains a water-soluble inner pod that holds a unique form of activated carbon. Activated Carbon has been found to effectively bind to a wide variety of drugs and poisons with a few notable exceptions (e.g. iron, lithium, and potassium).
- Step 1: Put the unwanted pills, liquids, or patches in the pouch.
- Step 2: Add warm water. This dissolves the inner pod and releases the activated carbon.
- Step 3: Seal the pouch and throw it into your regular household garbage.
The pills, patches, or liquids are absorbed by the carbon, becoming inert and non-retrievable.
Environmentally Friendly Disposal
The Deterra pouch is made of environmentally sound materials. The plastic pouch and zipper will degrade through the use of organic additives that are consumed in landfills by naturally occurring microbes.
The end result is a release of water and carbon dioxide into the environment, with very little organic biomass left behind.
What Medications Does It Work On?
The Deterra pouch will deactivate any organic medications, including opioids. However, it will not absorb metals such as iron or lithium, which are contained in a small number of medications.
If your medication has specific disposal instructions, please follow the directions as given.
More About Deterra Pouches
- Available in multiple sizes with listed capacity on each pouch or container.
- Works on pills, capsules, tablets, patches, creams, and even liquids.
- Each pouch is resealable until full, allowing multiple disposal uses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to throw in the regular trash?
Yes. Once sealed, the pouch can go into household trash without risk of drug leakage or misuse.
Can it be used for veterinary medications?
Absolutely. Pet medications can be just as dangerous if misused, and Deterra pouches are effective for those as well.
Where can I buy Deterra?
You can purchase them on Amazon or directly through Deterra’s official site. Some pharmacies and community organizations also provide them free of charge during take-back initiatives.
Community Use and Partnerships
- A product demonstration is available on YouTube. Deterra also has a Facebook page for updates and helpful articles.
- Drug distributor AmerisourceBergen runs a charity that donates DisposeRx packets and Deterra bags. So far, they’ve donated over 55,000 products.
- Express Scripts began sending Deterra Pouches to members with opioid prescriptions, helping prevent leftover medications from being misused.
With growing awareness of the opioid crisis, more innovative solutions like Deterra will likely become part of everyday prevention efforts. Keeping unused medications secure and properly disposed of is one of the simplest ways we can all contribute to reducing addiction and overdose risks.
About MedWaste Management
We are MedWaste Management – California’s medical waste disposal experts!
Established in 2008, MedWaste Management brings great benefit to the healthcare industry and the general public alike. We publish this blog to spread useful and practical information to help people stay safe, smart and healthy!
Call us with any questions. We are always happy to speak!
