County DES Receives Statewide Honor for Pharmaceutical Waste Collection Program
County Executive Maggie Brooks announced the Monroe County Department of Environmental Services (DES) was honored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commission for the County’s Pharmaceutical Waste Collection Program.
“This prestigious award shows how Monroe County has become a statewide leader in pharmaceutical waste collections,” said Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks. “This program has served thousands of residents by safely removing tons of unused, unwanted and expired medications from our homes, keeping them out of landfills and the water supply.”
Representatives from County DES received the award at the 6th Annual NYS Environmental Excellence Awards ceremony in Albany. The NYS DEC recognized the Monroe County DES’ Pharmaceutical Waste Collection Program for its innovation, sustainability and creative partnerships.
“This program is an outstanding example of how Monroe County is working with its partners to tackle today’s toughest environmental challenges,” said NYS DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis. “Monroe County has had a positive impact on our environment and made significant contributions to the protection and stewardship of our natural resources.”
The Monroe County DES began the first Pharmaceutical Waste Collection Program in the state in April 2008. It has since expanded into partnership collections with local municipalities, Wegmans Supermarkets, Waste Management and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. This year, Monroe County has held a total of 14 collections; which have served nearly 3,000 residents and taken in nearly 6,500 pounds of hazardous, non-hazardous and controlled substances.
Earlier this year, the Monroe County DES received a 2009 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Quality Award for the County’s Pharmaceutical Waste Collection program for its commitment to protecting and enhancing environmental quality.
Download dec_honors_rx_program.pdf (pdf, 114.9k)
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