What's the best way to get rid of old sunscreen?

Question

If I dump it down the drain I can recycle the bottles. Is this okay to do or harmful to the environment?

Answer 1

why not use as a moisturiser especially on legs and feet, this would be more environmentally friendly .

Answer 2

Either throw the whole thing away, or transfer the contents into a non-recyclable container then throw away. DON'T dump down the drain. Chemicals, especially oily ones, are very hard to remove in water treatment.

Answer 3

I usually use up things like that because wasting is a pretty big impact, you know, because of supply and demand.

I'd save it or give it to someone who can use it. Sunscreen generally doesn't go bad, they just legally HAVE to put a date on it.

If not, it's just zinc and things like that, all of which scientists HAVE pulled from nature.

And I am sure nature will know what to do with it if you dump it out in a compost pile. The bacteria and creatures that can break paper back down to pulp shouldn't have a problem.

I'd be wary of the toilet thing though, the ground can filter out a lot of toxins anyway, but a water treatment plant typically lets all kinds of trace pharmaceuticals through to the "clean" water we get.

Look it up. I'd use the ground.

Answer 4

Have you ever heard of Freecycle?  It's a grass roots movement all across the country where people post offers and wants.  It could be anything, the only stipulation is it has to be free.  The whole object is to keep usable items out of landfills.  I am a freecycle addict. as an example, my daughter was over the other night, and mentioned she had just ran out of shave gel and was down to her last razor( we live in Michigan where we all are economically hard hit)  I said let me check freecycle and sure enough there was an offer a mile away for 3 cans of unused shaving gel, a 15 count bag of new razors,2 tubes of new toothpaste unopened in the original boxes and more.  Took 15 minutes to hook her up for the next couple of months.  She's 20 and on her own with 3 roommates, so cash is tight also.  Try it.  I found it through Yahoo groups.  Every town and city has one.  The usual procedure is porch pick up  I put items that someone asked for on my porch, usually never see the person.  Likewise, if it's an offer, I email thte time I can be there and it's in a bag on the porch with my name on it.  Way too cool!

Answer 5

Use it.  Then recycle the empty bottle.  Don't dump it down the drain.  It can s***w up your septic system.

Answer 6

Try flushing it down the toilet. Things a lot worse have been down there, sunscreen won't hurt it.