Operation Medicine Cabinet: Get rid of old pills the safe way
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By Kurt Allemeier | Thursday, September 20, 2007 |
People uncertain of how to get rid of old and unwanted medicines or an old mercury thermometer will have a place to take them for the next three days.
Starting today, the Waste Commission of Scott County is hosting drop-off sites for old medicines, thermometers, used syringes and lancets.
Flushing medication down the toilet is no longer advised because traces of pharmaceuticals are being found in watersheds, said Kathy Morris, director of the waste commission.
“Water treatment isn’t always getting these things out,” Morris said. “You’re welcome to throw it away.
“The EPA recommends mixing it with something undesirable, like coffee grounds,” she said, “but get it out of the house to avoid accidental poisonings.”
The event, called “Operation Medicine Cabinet,” is in its second year. Last year, the event brought in 806 pounds of pharmaceuticals, 377 pounds of sharps — syringes and lancets, and 37 pounds of mercury.
“It is a great opportunity for a person to check and see if they still have an old mercury thermometer,” Morris said. “A mercury thermometer can cause havoc if it is dropped and broken.”
The first Operation Medicine Cabinet was created after retired Davenport fire chief Tom Ryan brought the concept to the waste commission after learning of it elsewhere.
“We had outstanding response last year,” Morris said, praising the recently deceased Ryan’s activism.
Drof-off sites
Drop-off for old medicines is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at these sites:
Today: Medic EMS Facility, LeClaire Road & Highway 61, Eldridge, Iowa.
Friday: Bettendorf Fire
Station, Middle Road & Crow Creek Road, Bettendorf.
Saturday: Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust Street, Davenport.
Kurt Allemeier can be contacted at
(563) 383-2360 or kallemeier@qctimes.com.
Comment on this story at qctimes.com.
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