WLSSD to host collection event for unwanted medication

November 9, 2009 by Howie · Leave a Comment

The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) will host a free collection event for unwanted or expired medications at its regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility on Friday, November 20th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

“Medicine Cabinet Clean-Out Day” is a one-day event offering residents free disposal of unwanted medications in a safe, convenient and environmentally sound manner. This is the first medication collection event held in over a year. Due to US drug laws, medication can only be accepted at these specially-staffed events.

“There are many reasons to clean out your medicine cabinet, including both environmental and personal safety concerns,” said Gina Temple-Rhodes, WLSSD Environmental Program Coordinator. “Since medication should not be flushed down the drain, collection events are a great way to dispose of medication. During past collection events, residents from more than 1,000 households safely disposed of their unwanted medication. They told us these events were a great answer to their questions about the most environmentally-safe way to dispose of unwanted medication.”

Disposing of unwanted medication in this way is also a good step to ensure the medication does not fall into the hands of children or teens.

WLSSD will have the support of SMDC and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department to present this medication disposal opportunity.

“We know that medicines have a very positive impact on the quality of many peoples’ lives,” says SMDC Director of Retail Pharmacy Services Dianne Witten. “But they can have a negative impact on our environment unless they’re disposed of properly. We’re happy to be able to provide the pharmacists needed to make this happen.” The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department will provide law enforcement staffing to comply with all applicable drug laws.

When medications are flushed down the drain, they travel to wastewater treatment plants and many cannot be removed before the water is discharged into waterways. Pharmaceutical substances and hormones may adversely affect fish and other aquatic life.

“While research into new ways to remove substances from water is ongoing, it’s better to prevent pollution in the first place,” said Marianne Bohren, WLSSD’s Executive Director. “Properly disposing of medication is a good first step toward protecting our local waters.”

Residents may bring their own or a family member’s unwanted or expired medication to the event for disposal. Drop-off is free and confidential. Residents will use the drive-through area at the Household Hazardous Waste facility during this special event. The facility is located at 2626 Courtland Street in Duluth.

Temple-Rhodes recommends that residents attending the event:

. Bring prescription or over-the-counter medication in its original container with all information about the medication visible to assist with sorting. Names and addresses may be covered or scratched out.

. Keep medications out of reach of children while waiting for and transporting material to the event.
Keep needles or other medical sharps separate and packaged in rigid containers such as laundry detergent or soda bottles for safe disposal.

WLSSD can only accept medication during special events due to U.S. drug laws. WLSSD employs pharmacists and law enforcement officers for the special event to ensure safe and proper sorting and disposal of all medications. Residents who are unable to attend a disposal event may dispose of unwanted medications in the garbage after properly preparing the medication per Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recommendations. These recommendations can be found at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/oea/hhw/pharmaceuticals.cfm.

More information is available on WLSSD’s website at www.wlssd.com/pollution_pharmaceutical.php

Western Lake Superior Sanitary District provides award-winning wastewater and solid waste services to residents, businesses and industries within its 530 square mile legislative boundaries in Southern St. Louis and northern Carlton counties, and is a nationally recognized leader in pollution prevention.

– WLSSD press release