Brooks Announces Pharmaceutical Waste Collection

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks announced that the County’s Department of Environmental Services (DES), Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, New York State Police and Wegmans Food Markets have partnered to hold a pharmaceutical waste collection event.  
The collection will be held at the Monroe County Rochester Operations Center at 444 East Henrietta Road on Thursday, October 2, 2008 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“These pharmaceutical collections give our residents the opportunity to dispose of potentially harmful medications in the safest manner possible,” said Brooks.  “This program is another example of how Monroe County is working to establish secure and environmentally-friendly disposal options of expired and/or unwanted prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.”
This pharmaceutical collection is designed to collect controlled substances, outdated or unwanted medications, and over-the-counter medications.  Only residential items will be accepted at these collections.  Waste from pharmacies, veterinarians or pharmaceutical businesses will not be accepted.

A recent study found that just over 50 percent of people who are prescribed medication use all of it.  The remainder have unused or expired pharmaceuticals in their homes.   Improper disposal of these medications can harm the environment or cause potential health risks.
The study concluded that pharmaceuticals that are flushed down drains and toilets cannot be completely removed by sewage treatment facilities or septic tank systems.  They can also enter the soil, surface water and groundwater.  In addition, storing expired or unwanted pharmaceuticals in homes is a safety concern as it increases the risk of accidental poisoning.

“We at EPA are pleased that pharmaceutical collection events continues to assist in helping prevent contaminants from entering waterways that feed into the Great Lakes basin,” said Michael J. Basile of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
No appointments are required for this collection event.  Residents may black out any personal information (not the medication name or dosage) on their prescription bottles.  All collected medications and their containers will be destroyed by an incineration process administered by law enforcement officers.
For emergency information on accidental drug overdose, contact the Ruth A. Lawrence Poison Control and Drug Information Center at 1-800-222-1222.