Worldwide, a cocktail of medicines of human and animal origin is found in (drinking) water, soil, food crops and air. Multi-resistant bacteria are also widely dispersed in the environment. To address the environmental cycle of pharmaceuticals and drug-resistant bacteria a change is necessary in the way we deal with these agents. Medicines, unlike pesticides, can not be easily banned or replaced. Therefore, the healthcare sector itself is looking for solutions to this societal challenge. During this symposium concrete options for action will be described. The University Medical Centre of Utrecht will demonstrate what they are doing in this area.