October 27, 2014 - Improperly disposed medications hurt the environment. In fact, research suggests that the presence of pharmaceutical and personal care products in the environment is one of the most significant emerging threats of the 21st century.
In an effort to properly dispose of unused drugs and achieve a more sustainable environment, collection officials will be on hand on the 600 block of Market Street in downtown Knoxville, next to the East Tennessee History Center, to collect and properly dispose of unwanted medicine and thermometers on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event will be held in conjunction with Knoxville's America Recycles Day. Medication can only be dropped off at this location during the event.
Every mercury thermometer turned in will be replaced with a digital thermometer, and all plastic medicine containers will be recycled.
The collection event is part of an ongoing effort by the Knoxville Medication Collection Program to prevent unwanted substances from entering Knoxville's rivers, lakes and landfills. Since November 2008, more than 6.59 tons of medications have been collected through a combination of collection events and the installation of a permanent drop box at the Knoxville Police Department's downtown station.
KPD, the Knoxville and Knox County Solid Waste Offices, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the University Of Tennessee Academy of Student Pharmacists, WUOT, the Metropolitan Drug Commission, Knoxville Utilities Board, WBIR TV Channel 10 and the Knox County Health Department are all part of the effort.
Can't make it to Market Street on Saturday? Citizens can always take old or unwanted medicines to KPD's Safety Building station, 800 Howard Baker Jr. Ave. Only residential and household medications will be accepted. Materials cannot be received from medical organizations, pharmacies, nursing homes, offices or businesses. The Safety Building is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information on proper disposal, visit
www.medicationcollection.org.