04/15/24 - 66 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/msuwtctm
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Berks County Breaks Previous Pharmaceutical Collection Record
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Pennsylvania American Water and the Berks County Solid Waste Authority reported Wednesday a record-setting volume of pharmaceutical products was recently collected and destroyed, ensuring that they will never end up in drinking water sources.
The free event on April 28, at the Exeter Township Municipal Building enabled Berks County residents to dispose of unwanted and expired prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
“This was the largest turnout by far for a pharmaceutical collection event in Berks County since we started the program in 2009,” said Solid Waste Authority Executive Director Jane Meeks. “Better yet, we more than doubled the amount of drugs and medical products collected compared to our May 2011 event, when the previous record was set.”
Approximately 930 Berks County residents drove through the Exeter Township lot and dropped off 2,324 pounds of pharmaceutical products, including controlled and non-controlled substances and non-hazardous materials. The May 2011 event attracted nearly 430 residents and collected 1,020 pounds of drugs and medical products.
This is the third time that Pennsylvania American Water co-sponsored the event to prevent the contaminants from entering local waterways and landfills, plus disposing of unused medications in an environmentally safe manner keeps them from falling into the wrong hands. All of the substances collected have been incinerated.
“The community’s overwhelming response and participation will go a long way to help protect our sources of drinking water,” said Terry Maenza, director of communications and external affairs for Pennsylvania American Water. “The event also helps us reinforce the message that unused or expired drugs should not be flushed down the toilet where they can enter our waterways.”
Representatives from Pennsylvania American Water, Berks County Solid Waste Authority, Berks County District Attorney’s office and Exeter Township Police, as well as local pharmacists and licensed hazardous waste contractor took part in the April 28 event. The Solid Waste Authority coupled the pharmaceutical disposal with a drop-off for free paper shredding.
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5/28/2012 |
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