Home > Informational materials on pharmaceuticals and the environment
Informational materials on pharmaceuticals and the environment
Informational materials on pharmaceuticals and the environment The informational materials on pharmaceuticals and the environment can be ordered or downloaded free of charge. Source: German Environment Agency 2024
To support awareness efforts on the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals, the UBA has developed a range of informational materials, some of which are available in multiple languages. These include flyers, posters, postcards, and a birthday calendar, as well as free texts and images that can be used in various media channels.
The materials are primarily intended to inform patients. They can be ordered free of charge or downloaded from the UBA's website. Below, each material is presented individually, along with links for downloading or ordering.
Poster: Correct disposal of leftover medicines in: …
Many people believe that leftover medicines should always be disposed of at pharmacies. Providing information about the applicable, regionally varying disposal methods can take up valuable time in pharmacies. The poster "Correct Disposal of Leftover Medicines in: …" is designed to ease this burden by displaying written disposal information in the pharmacy's sales area. Other suitable locations for the poster include medical practices, hospitals, health advisory centres, health insurance providers, and waste disposal advisory offices.
The poster allows for handwritten entry of the name of the city or district and marking of the appropriate disposal methods. Additionally, the address of the nearest recycling centre can be included. The poster also conveys the crucial message that leftover drugs should never be disposed of via wastewater.
It is available free of charge in A1 size (59.4 x 84.1 cm) but can also be printed in other sizes. The text remains clearly readable up to A3 size (30 x 42 cm). There are two versions of the poster: a German version and an international version, which includes information in English, French, Polish, Turkish, Russian, and Arabic.
Flyer: Do NOT dispose of drugs in the toilet or sink
This flyer provides a brief and easily understandable explanation of why the correct disposal of leftover medicines is important for the environment. The front page conveys the central and universally applicable message that medication residues should never be disposed of via wastewater. A map of German districts and cities visualises the appropriate regional disposal methods for leftover medicines, based on data from arzneimittelentsorgung.de (as of March 2023). In some districts or cities, multiple disposal methods are available, so the map prioritises the simplest option from a patient’s perspective, with household waste being preferred over hazardous waste collection points or recycling centres.
Since disposal methods may change or additional options may become available, the flyer also directs users to the arzneimittelentsorgung.de portal, where disposal information is regularly updated.
On the back of the flyer, the name of the respective district or city can be handwritten, and the appropriate disposal options can be marked. Additionally, the address of the nearest recycling centre can be included. There is also space for a stamp from the distributing pharmacy or other institution.
The German-language flyer is available in three versions:
A blank version without checkmarks on the back
A version with a checkmark for the disposal method "household waste"
A version with a checkmark for the disposal method "pharmacy"
Outside of flyer Do NOT dispose of drugs in the toilet or sink This flyer explains briefly and clearly why it is important for the environment to dispose of leftover medicines correctly. Source: German Environment Agency 2024
Inside of flyer Do NOT dispose of drugs in the toilet or sink The correct regional disposal routes for used medicines are visualised on a map of German districts and cities. Source: German Environment Agency 2024
Postcard: Household waste instead of glass containers
Leftovers of liquid pharmaceuticals are more frequently disposed of incorrectly via wastewater than solid ones. To address this issue, a German-language postcard in DIN A6 format (10 x 15 cm) has been developed, which can be handed out to patients when dispensing liquid medicines in pharmacies.
The back of the postcard explains that liquid medication residues should be disposed of together with their container, without separating them, and that recycling the container (e.g. bottle, ampoule) is secondary in this case.
Front of the postcard: Household waste instead of glass recycling Correct disposal method for liquid pharmaceutical residues: Household waste or hazardous waste collection point Source: German Environment Agency 2024
Back of the postcard: Household waste instead of glass recycling Leftover liquid drugs must be disposed of along with their container. Source: German Environment Agency 2024
Postcard: Wipe First… Then Wash!
When using medicated creams and gels, the amount of pharmaceutical substances entering wastewater can be reduced by first wiping hands with a paper towel after application, disposing of it in household waste, and only then washing hands. To raise awareness of this, a German-language postcard in DIN A6 format (10 x 15 cm) has been developed. It can be handed out to patients when dispensing medicated creams and gels in pharmacies. The back of the postcard also advises that creams and gels should only be used as directed in the package leaflet or as advised by a healthcare professional, and only in the prescribed amount.
Front of postcard: Wipe First… Then Wash After applying medicinal ointments, hands should first be wiped with a paper towel that is disposed of in the household waste, and only then should the hands be washed. Source: German Environment Agency 2024
Back of postcard: Wipe First… Then Wash For the sake of the environment: Wipe First… Then Wash Source: German Environment Agency 2024
Birthday Calendar: Pharmaceuticals and the Environment
This decorative wall calendar can be ordered free of charge by pharmacies and given to patients as a gift. Designed as a perpetual birthday calendar in DIN A4 format, it can be used year after year. Each month features large decorative photographs along with short texts highlighting different aspects of pharmaceuticals and the environment. Topics go beyond proper disposal of medication residues, also addressing ways to prevent unnecessary environmental pollution from pharmaceuticals. Additional calendar pages provide further information on each topic, along with links and QR codes for deeper insights. The extended back cover provides space for pharmacies to place their stamp, ensuring it remains visible throughout the year.
HMP Birthday Calendar: January Drug residues enter water bodies because most active pharmaceutical substances are excreted by the human body after ingestion and are not retained by wastewater treatment plants. The improper disposal of unused medicines via the toilet or sink adds to environmental entry. With proper disposal, through, for example, household waste, hazardous waste collection vehicles, or recycling centres, medicines are destroyed through waste incineration and no longer pose a problem for the environment. Source: Lars Johansson / Adobe Stock
HMP Birthday Calendar: February Drugs that are not taken cannot enter the environment. Physical activity has a positive effect on health and thus also benefits the environment. Vaccinations are another way to prevent illnesses. Source: soft_light / Adobe Stock
HMP Birthday Calendar: March Following the recommended dosage and duration of drug treatment is important. Overdosing can harm both humans and the environment and does not lead to faster recovery. Additionally, the body excretes much more of the active substance or its breakdown products as a result. This unnecessarily burdens water bodies, which can harm aquatic organisms, such as frogs. Source: Rainer Fuhrmann / Adobe Stock
HMP Birthday Calendar: April To prevent medicines from entering the environment through wastewater, paper towels containing pharmaceutical residues should be disposed of in household waste. This applies, for example, to tissues used after using nasal sprays. Similarly, after applying medicinal creams or gels, hands should first be wiped with a paper towel before washing them. The paper towel should be disposed of in the household waste. Source: Тамара Андреева / Adobe Stock
HMP Birthday Calendar: May Manure is often used as a natural fertiliser instead of chemical fertilisers. However, manure can still contain residues of veterinary medicines, such as antiparasitics or antibiotics, which can harm soil organisms and affect soil life. Therefore, make sure to use manure from untreated animals in your garden. If in doubt, ask for the oldest manure available. Source: ilposeidone / Adobe Stock
HMP Birthday Calendar: June Aquatic organisms are affected by the negative effects of pharmaceutical residues. For example, painkillers can damage the kidneys of fish, and antidepressants can alter escape behaviour. To protect seas and water bodies, find out about the recommended disposal methods for medicines at your holiday destination as well. Source: parallel_dream / Adobe Stock
HMP Birthday Calendar: July Drugs for our pets can also pose a problem if they enter the environment directly. Therefore, make sure that, for example, dogs do not go swimming for a few days after the application of antiparasitics to the skin (e.g. on the neck) and remove the flea collar before they jump into the water. Source: R.Bitzer Photography / Adobe Stock
HMP Birthday Calendar: August In rare cases, pharmaceutical substances, such as painkillers, have been detected in groundwater and drinking water in very low concentrations. By disposing of pharmaceutical residues correctly – for example, through household waste, hazardous waste collection points, or recycling centres, but never via the toilet or sink – you contribute to the protection of drinking water. Source: Iryna Melnyk / Adobe Stock
HMP Birthday Calendar: September A healthy lifestyle, including sufficient sleep, stress reduction, a balanced diet, and quitting smoking, contributes to well-being and the maintenance of good health. The healthier we are, the less likely we are to rely on a large amount of medicines. It's a win for both your body and the environment. Source: EdNurg / Adobe Stock
HMP Birthday Calendar: October Before purchasing medicines, check if they are already present in your household. If possible, buy smaller pack sizes and avoid unnecessary stockpiling of medicines. In case of emergency, a pharmacy is always on duty nearby – even at night and on public holidays. At your pharmacy, you can also check if there are any duplicate medicines in your supply that have different names but work in the same way. This helps to prevent unnecessary pharmaceutical waste. Source: As13Sys / Adobe Stock
HMP Birthday Calendar: November Used cat litter contains residues of veterinary medicines if your cat has been treated with medication. It should be disposed of in household waste and not via the toilet, organic waste bin, or compost. Household waste is usually incinerated, destroying the residues and eliminating environmental issues. Source: Andrey Kuzmin / Adobe Stock
HMP Birthday Calendar: December You don’t have to rely (exclusively) on pharmaceuticals. For mild symptoms, such as a cold, home remedies can support recovery. These include teas, compresses, baths, the classic hot water bottle, bed rest, and physiotherapy. If drugs are necessary, you will always receive professional advice at your pharmacy. The pharmacy staff will gladly advise you on which of the available medicines are the most environmentally friendly. Just ask. Source: photophonie / Adobe Stock
Fact Sheet: Infopaket für Apotheken - Arzneimittel und Umwelt
Die Apotheke ist ein naheliegender Ort für Gespräche über Arzneimittel und deren Wirkung auf Mensch und Umwelt sowie über die Entsorgung von Altmedikamenten. Das Infopaket für Apotheken bietet dem Apothekenpersonal vertiefte Hintergrundinformationen für solche Gespräche. Es werden Anregungen gegeben, wie Apothekerinnen*Apotheker zu einer umweltgerechten Anwendung und Entsorgung von Medikamenten beitragen können. Die vom Umweltbundesamt zur Verfügung gestellten Informationsmaterialien und ihr zielgruppengerechter Verwendungszweck werden erläutert. Das Infopaket für Apotheken hat einen Umfang von 12 Seiten und kann heruntergeladen werden.
Free Texts and Images on Pharmaceuticals and the Environment
Environmental topics are increasingly gaining public interest and can attract attention when shared on websites or social media channels. Pharmacies, medical practices, and advisory centres can use information on the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals to position themselves as responsible healthcare providers while offering valuable insights to their patients. However, creating such content takes time, which is often scarce in the busy workday.
To support this, a download folder provides German texts and images (some of them multilingual) to help simplify the creation of editorial content on pharmaceuticals and the environment. The texts are available in various lengths and tones, making them suitable for websites or social media.
All images, including infographics and animations, are available under a Creative Commons (CC BY 4.0) licence, meaning they can be freely used with proper attribution. Additionally, the images are offered in channel-specific formats to ensure optimal presentation across different platforms.
Download folder: Freely available texts and images on pharmaceuticals and the environment (in German)
Wie kann ich als Patient*in dazu beitragen, den Eintrag von Arzneistoffen in die Umwelt zu reduziere Source: Umweltbundesamt 2025
Beuge ich Erkrankungen und der Einnahme von Medikamenten vor? Source: Umweltbundesamt 2025
Ziehe ich, wenn möglich, nicht-medikamentöse Behandlungen und Therapien in Erwägung? Source: Umweltbundesamt 2025
Habe ich meine*n Ärztin*Arzt gefragt, ob umweltfreundlichere Medikamente oder Anwendungen für mich g Source: Umweltbundesamt 2025
Halte ich mich bei der Medikamenteneinnahme an die empfohlene Dosierung und Behandlungsdauer? Source: Umweltbundesamt 2025
Entsorge ich Papiertücher mit Arzneimittelresten im Hausmüll? Source: Umweltbundesamt 2025
Vermeide ich, dass in meinem Haushalt Arzneimittelreste anfallen? Source: Umweltbundesamt 2025
Entsorge ich abgelaufene oder nicht mehr benötigte Medikamente korrekt? Source: Umweltbundesamt 2025
Fact Sheet: Information Package for Pharmacies – Pharmaceuticals and the Environment
The pharmacy is a hub for discussions about medicines, their effects on humans and the environment, and the proper disposal of leftover drugs. The German-language information package for pharmacies provides pharmacy staff with detailed background knowledge for such conversations.
It offers practical suggestions on how pharmacists can contribute to environmentally responsible use and disposal of medicines. Additionally, it explains the information materials provided by the UBA and how they can be effectively used for different target groups. The pharmacy information package consists of 12 pages and is available for download.
