How do you dispose of old medicine in Australia?
Medicines tend to build up in the home over time – packets of painkillers, supplements for wellbeing, vitamins for the winter months, prescriptions for former ailments and a whole lot more. As we head towards spring, now is as good a time as ever to think about sorting and clearing out your medicine bin of […]
How to Correctly Seal Your New RUM Bin
Last year saw the rollout of the new RUM bins, with the new design centred around safety – for pharmacists, patients, and those transporting the bins. The new bins also have a new way of being sealed and prepared for transport. Wholesalers are reporting that pharmacies are attempting to return the full RUM bins without […]
How to Dispose of Schedule 8 (S8) Medicines
The protocol in Australia for the disposal of section 8 medicines will depend on the state or territory jurisdiction. In some states or territories, you are able to dispose of these medicines via the RUM Project, whereas other locations have entirely different requirements. Schedule 8 drugs are classified as ‘poisons to which the restrictions recommended […]
Important Ways You Can Help the Environment this Christmas
Christmas is a wonderful time for gathering and connecting with friends and family and enjoying a much-needed break after a busy year. The Christmas tradition of sharing gifts can be a lovely way to treat loved ones, but unfortunately, the surge in gifts also means an increase in potential waste. Australian waste increased by 230% […]
Decluttering your Home (and your Medicine)
If you’re not one of those people who has everything in order and their house consistently clean and tidy, you probably know the feeling: things you would like to sort sometime in the future pile up here and there, desks and shelves fill up over time, cupboards spill over with clothes and things you ‘might […]
For Pharmacies: How to Assemble the New RUM Bin
Kellie Saunders from TerryWhite Chemmart in Cheltenham demonstrates how to assemble the new RUM bin, as well as how to seal it off once it’s full. Do you have a question about the new bin? Get in touch with our team today.
Where is the best place to keep your medicines at home?
You may think that your medicines are stored safely and in the correct place, but there are probably a couple of things that you haven’t taken into consideration. We have put together some tips of best medicine storage practice to ensure your medicines at home are safe and in the correct spot. When you’re cleaning […]
How to Protect Yourself Against the COVID-19 Coronavirus
With the recent spike in Coronavirus cases in Australia, it’s important to know the protective measures you can put in place to reduce your risk of contracting the disease. Whilst the case numbers are small, being aware of how to protect yourself can do no harm. The World Health Organization has shared the following advice […]
Which medicine can be returned, and to where?
The two most common questions we’re asked are: Which pharmacies accept unwanted medicines? What kind of medicine can be returned? In short, the answer is that most medicines, prescription or non-prescription, can be returned to any pharmacy – and it doesn’t need to be the pharmacy you originally obtained the medicine from. So, what medicines […]
The 5 Most Common Household Dangers For Your Pets
The relationship you have with your pets is really special. Pets can provide comfort, warmth and joy. And in return, it’s your job to provide a healthy, safe and happy environment. But did you know there are a number of everyday household items that could be potentially harmful to your pet? Here we break down […]
How to preserve water through the bushfire and drought crisis
The recent unprecedented drought and bushfire crisis that has unfolded across much of Australia has meant the introduction of necessary water restrictions. These natural disasters have highlighted the precariousness of water supplies and show that it is more important than ever to preserve and protect them. Here’s what you can do to help reduce your […]
‘You can recycle that?’ Household items you didn’t know could be recycled
Whilst recycling is important every week of the year, National Recycling Week is a great opportunity to ensure you’re recycling everything that you can in your household. We’ve collated the top items that you can recycle in your home that you might not know you can, from light bulbs to corks. Aerosol cans Aluminium cans […]
5 ways to be more environmentally friendly in the office
When we think about becoming more environmentally friendly, our thoughts often go to the home and what we can do there. Whilst what you do at home is key in helping reduce your environmental footprint, what is often overlooked is what you can do in the office or at work. Follow these simple tips to […]
The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist
Spring has arrived and along with the warmer and longer days, it also marks the time for an annual cleaning overhaul – the spring clean. We’ve put together the ultimate guide for your spring clean, room by room, to set your house up for the season. How to spring clean your kitchen Clean your oven […]
Reach for the Facts: What you need to know about Opioids
Did you know that 1 in 10 people who misuse opioids develop a dependency? And that 3.1 million Australians are prescribed opioids every year? The risk for dependency is high, and so the Return to Work Authority SA has created the Reach for the Facts campaign. Is it an Opioid? There are over 60 different […]
What happens to my medicine once it’s dropped off at the pharmacy?
A question we get asked a lot is about what happens to any expired or unwanted medicine once it has been dropped off at the local pharmacy. When you take your medicine out of the packaging and drop it off at your pharmacist’s counter, your pharmacist will place the unwanted or expired medicine directly into […]
Four risks of keeping expired and unwanted medicines at home
We are all guilty of keeping medicines stockpiled in various locations. Sometimes in more than one location – bathrooms, kitchen cupboards, and handbags. While keeping your medicines safe in one location is very important, ensuring that you safely dispose of any expired and unwanted medicine is just as crucial. Here’s why: 1. Accidental Consumption You […]
5 ways you can help the environment
There are little things you can do every day to help preserve our environment so we can continue living in for many years to come! Here are RUM’s top 5 tips: Return your medicine Disposing your unwanted medicines in the household garbage or down the drain or toilet can be extremely damaging to the environment, […]
Keeping our pets safe
For most of us, our pets are our most prized possession. They are a part of the family, they travel with us, and they sometimes even sleep and eat with us! Looking after a pet is a lot of responsibility, and there are many things to think about. All the sudden you have this little […]
Decluttering your home to make those difficult times easier
Losing a loved one is a difficult time for all family involved. The initial shock is enough, let alone the organising of everything else in the home. There’s a lot to think about, and going through a loved one’s home once they have died can be a daunting task. People collect a vast number of […]
Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Home
September has arrived and the weather is warming up. If you have neglected your home duties during the cooler months, a much needed (but equally dreaded) spring clean is probably in order. Here are some tips to help you clean and spruce up your home. • Declutter and let your home breathe We could all […]
3 Steps to a Safer Home
Unfortunately, poisoning is one of the more common childhood injuries. Every year in NSW alone, more than 500 children are admitted to hospital because of poisoning from products found in and around the home – which includes medicines. Most accidental poisonings also happen to children younger than five years old, with children aged one to […]
4 Tips for Clearing Out Your Medicine Cabinet
When it comes to tidying our homes, many of us take an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach. That is, we’re more likely to keep the areas we use the most — like our bedrooms and living rooms — sparkling clean. Meanwhile, that dust-covered linen cupboard in your spare room hasn’t been opened in […]
Preventing Poisonings in the Home
According to the NSW Poisons Information Centre, at least 5,000 children are hospitalised each year due to household medicine poisonings. Although there are several causes of accidental poisonings in and around the home, medicines are one of the largest contributors. The majority around (37%) of children, hospitalised due to medicine poisoning is linked to swallowing common […]