家里过期药，究竟咋处理？

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the issue of expired medications in households, highlighting the lack of awareness and proper disposal methods among the public, and emphasizes the importance of community initiatives for safe disposal [3][4][6]. Group 1: Current Situation - Approximately 78.6% of families in China have a medicine cabinet, but over 80% do not regularly clean it [3]. - Each year, around 15,000 tons of expired medications are generated nationwide, posing a significant environmental challenge [3]. Group 2: Risks of Expired Medications - Expired medications can lead to reduced efficacy and potential health risks, such as allergic reactions or increased toxicity [6][7]. - Improper disposal of expired medications can contaminate soil and water, leading to environmental hazards and public health risks [8]. Group 3: Community Initiatives - Community programs, such as the "Expired Medication Recovery Exchange" in Beijing, encourage residents to return expired medications in exchange for daily necessities [3][11]. - The East District of Beijing has established regular collection activities for expired medications, which have received positive feedback from residents [11][12]. Group 4: Proper Disposal Methods - Expired medications should be treated as hazardous waste and disposed of in designated red bins [8][9]. - Public awareness campaigns are necessary to educate residents on the importance of proper disposal and the risks associated with expired medications [12][13]. Group 5: Future Directions - Collaborative efforts, such as the "Household Expired Medication Recovery Alliance" in Guangdong, have successfully recovered over 1,800 tons of expired medications, demonstrating the effectiveness of multi-stakeholder approaches [13].