The Disposal of Unused Medications Properly (DUMP) project commenced in 2003 and is a Health Service Executive initiative.

It is a suicide prevention programme but it also has major environmental, waste and medicine management implications.

This initiative allows the public to return unwanted or out of date medicine to a selection of pharmacies in their region. The benefits go beyond controlling hazardous waste and environmental protection.

The DUMP programme also has benefits for reducing access to medicines for the means of overdose and reducing the potential for accidental overdose in children.

Many people are not aware that some pharmacies will accept (although not obliged to) unused medicines for disposal. Because of this medicines often accumulate in the home causing risk of accidental and deliberate overdose. A common misconception is that the best way to dispose of waste medication is to deposit of it in the black bin or flush it down the toilet. Both these methods of disposal can have serious environmental implications.

The DUMP initiative has been developed in the Dublin region within the functional areas of Dublin City Council, Dun Laoghaire – Rathdown Co Council and South Dublin Co Council. Pharmacies in this region will be able to accept out of date and unused medicines for disposal.

Click here for a list of pharmacies participating in the DUMP initiative.

All waste collected is disposed of in accordance with Irish and EU requirements.

Waste medicines can be disposed of at the following recycling facilities:

Ballyogan Recycling Park
Dublin 18, Ballyogan Rd, Carrickmines, D 18

Ringsend Recycling Centre
Dublin 4, Pigeon House Road, Dublin 4

Shamrock Terrace Recycling Centre
Dublin 3, North Strand Rd, Shamrock Tce, Dublin 3