Single Use Disposal System (SUDS) Program

The Single-Use Disposal System (SUDS) is a part of an initiative by the University of Houston to provide an environmentally friendly and safe way to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications. 

The City of Mont Belvieu Fire Department has conveniently placed a TakeAway Envelope box just outside of the entrance to City Hall (near the Utility Billing department).

HOW TO USE SUDS

There are four (4) simple steps for using the SUDS program.

ONESUDS Envelope Box

Remove the postcard and answer the questions.

TWO

Place the medication in the prepaid envelope.

THREE

Seal the envelope.

FOUR

Drop off the sealed envelope and postcard in your mailbox or at the nearest post office.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE ENVELOPE AFTER IT IS MAILED?

The envelopes containing medications are sent directly to a treatment facility and are incinerated unopened.

Why do they incinerate them?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends incineration as the method of drug destruction, which meets the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) standard. 

Incinerating the medications limit the environmental damage that medications can have by preventing them from polluting our drinking water.

CAN NEEDLES OR INHALERS GO IN THE ENVELOPE?

No. Please reach out to your local health department for safe disposal instructions for needles and/or inhalers. (Chambers County Public Health: 409-267-2731)

WILL ANYONE SEE MY PERSONAL INFORMATION?

No, once you seal the TakeAway Envelope it is incinerated unopened.

DO'S & DON'TS

Do’s 

  • Place all unused mediations into this envelope including legally held controlled drugs and narcotics (Schedule II, III, IV, and V.)
  • Medications should be in their original containers when placed into the TakeAway Envelope.
  • Liquids must be placed in a sealed plastic bag (e.g. a zip-locked bag) before being placed inside the envelope. No more than (4) ounces of liquids can be included in each mailing.
  • Seal the envelope carefully.
  • Take the sealed envelope to a U.S. Post Office or U.S. Postal Service drop box, or simply hand it to our postal carrier.

Don’ts

  • DO NOT mail needles, syringes, lancets, injection pens, chemotherapy waste or other medical waste in this envelope. Contact Sharps Compliance at 800.772.5657 for the proper disposal method for these items.
  • DO NOT mail batteries, aerosol spray cans, trash, or other hazardous materials in this envelope.
  • DO NOT mail illicit drugs (Schedule I controlled substances) such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine.
  • DO NOT OVERFILL THE ENVELOPE
  • DO NOT take this filled envelope back to your pharmacy.

This project is funded by Texas Health and Human Services Texas Targeted Opioid Response.