Extramural Research
Presentation Abstract
Grantee Research Project Results
Collecting Unwanted Medications for Appropriate Disposal
Lynn Rubinstein
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc., Brattleboro, VT
Through funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service, the Northeast Recycling Council, Inc., has been researching legal strategies and best management practices for collecting and disposing of unwanted medications from the general public. These strategies have been tested through pilot collection events. This presentation addresses the lessons learned, necessary strategies, and the detailed logistics for conducting legal and safe unwanted medication collection events.
The best management practices and legal requirements include: accepting prescription and over-the-counter medications, the physical presence and participation of law enforcement officials and a pharmacist, and disposal of nonregulated medications as a hazardous waste.
Five pilot collections have been held to date: in pharmacy, two as part of scheduled activities for seniors, a stand-alone event, and as part of a household hazardous waste collection. Data from these events and lessons learned also will be discussed.
More events are scheduled, and data will continue to be collected and analyzed.