About Return Unwanted Medicines
The RUM Project (Return Unwanted Medicines) is a nationwide initiative dedicated to providing Australians with a safe, easy, and free way to dispose of unwanted or expired medicines.
Established in 1998, the RUM mission is to prevent environmental contamination, enhance community safety, and support public health by promoting the proper disposal of medicines.
Return Unwanted Medicines is a national not-for- profit funded by the Commonwealth Government through the Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing to address the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) in Australia.
The returned medicines are disposed of by high-temperature incineration, which is in accordance with regulatory and EPA requirements.
Why Safe Disposal Matters
Storage of expired and unwanted medicines in the home can be harmful – especially to small children and older people - and unsafe disposal can damage the environment.
- Environmental Protection: Improper disposal of medicines can lead to contamination of water supplies and soil. By returning your unwanted medicines, you help safeguard our natural resources.
- Community Safety: Accumulated, expired, or unused medicines at home can pose a risk of accidental poisoning or medicine mismanagement, especially to children, older people and pets.
- Health and Well-being: Reducing the misuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications contributes to healthier communities.
- Convenience: RUM bins are found in all PBS approved community pharmacies across Australia. You don’t need to return to the pharmacy the medicines were purchased at.
A Safety Success Story
In the 2023-24 Financial Year, pharmacies across Australia collected well over 800,000kg of unwanted medicines with the RUM Project.
Our Vision
We envision a healthier, safer environment where the proper disposal of medicines is a standard practice, contributing to reduced environmental impact and improved community well-being.
Our Commitment
We are committed to raising awareness about the importance of safe medicine disposal and providing resources and support to ensure everyone can participate.
