Design and Public Policies: tools to guide the correct disposal of expired or unused medicines

Abstract

The current context, linked to environmental pollution problems, presents several demands related to communication aimed at organizations and citizens to achieve better levels of environmental sustainability. Medicines for home use are products that require specific guidelines for consumption and disposal and have specific legislation that guides the disposal of their leftovers or those that are expired, due to their potential and pollution of the environment. In this regard, this study intends to demonstrate how Design plays an important role, guiding individuals on how to proceed with the correct disposal and mitigating the impact of environmental pollution by pharmaceuticals. As for the methods, it presents part of the results of a master’s research characterized as qualitative, which made use of documentary and field research to obtain its data. The results demonstrate how communication is an important sector to be considered within a circular network for the effectiveness of Public Policies aimed at Solid Waste Management, especially with regard to the Disposal of Expired or Disused Medicines for Home Use. In this regard, there is Design as a tool to help consumers exercise their civic duty in their role in the shared responsibility for the life cycle of products provided for in the National Policy on Solid Waste.