French citizens recycle unused medications at pharmacies

Eighty-two percent of French citizens report recycling unused medications, a practice crucial for environmental safety and preventing accidental poisonings. Expired or unused medications should be returned to any pharmacy for proper disposal, as they cannot be thrown in the trash. Pharmacies are legally obligated to accept these medications, which totaled 7,675 tons collected in 2024. The collected medications are typically incinerated to eliminate environmental impact, managed by Cyclamed, a national program since 1993. This process prevents potential harm from improper disposal.