Speakers announced a collaborative effort to provide free collection and disposal of waste medication and pharmaceuticals at the Cazenovia Waste Water Treatment Facility on Aug. 7. The collection will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Madison County Landfill at 6663 Buyea Rd., Lincoln.
“Madison County continues to do its part to protect the environment through integrated programs such as this,” said James A. Zecca, director of the Department of Solid Waste and Sanitation. “Madison County continues to be a leader in solid waste management throughout New York State.”
Representatives from the Department of Solid Waste and Sanitation, Morrisville State College, BRiDGES, Madison County’s Promise, the Madison County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program are working together to bring this program to Madison County.
The panel of speakers offered a variety of perspectives in support of this program.
Van Bartlett, lead trainer at the Environment Training Center at Morrisville State College, spoke to the environmental impact of improperly disposed of pharmaceuticals.
“Compounds of emerging concern include prescription drugs and over the counter medications,” he said “When not properly disposed of, microconstituents in these compounds show up at waste water treatment plants and can have adverse effects on aquatic organisms.”
Sara Coulthart, of Drug Free Communities Coalition Madison County’s Promise, pointed to prescription drug abuse in teenagers across the country, and Mary Bartlett, of Retired Senior Volunteer Program, discussed to the future of the program.
“Our community volunteers can help with coordination of the safe pill drop off project and help keep it going in future years,” Bartlett said.
The drop off is for Madison County residents only. The following items will be accepted: Expired or unwanted prescriptions and medicine in liquid or pill form, vitamins, veterinary medications, over the counter medicines and lancets or syringes.
