The City of Knoxville Police Department and other local sponsors are hosting a one-day collection of outdated or unwanted medications and a used mercury thermometer exchange on Saturday, May 16.

The event provides an easy way for residents to turn in unwanted or outdated prescription medicines, over-the-counter medications and used mercury thermometers for proper disposal. The event will be conducted from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Walgreens, 8950 Kingston Pike at Peters Road.

The goal of the medicine collection is to prevent these pharmaceutical and over-the-counter products from getting into area water resources – or into the hands of children – and to make sure they are disposed of in a safe, environmentally-friendly manner.

Any empty plastic containers and paper packaging left with event organizers will be recycled.

The effort is part of an ongoing, nationwide effort to reduce the amount of drugs, fragrances, sunscreen products and nutritional supplements that are entering water resources from either being flushed or poured down drains.

Residential and household medications, and medications from businesses such as doctor's offices, veterinarian clinics and nursing homes, will be accepted.

Sponsors of the event are the City of Knoxville's Office of Solid Waste, the Knoxville Police Department, the Knoxville Utilities Board, the Knox County Health Department, the Knox County Solid Waste Department, the Metropolitan Drug Commission, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Quality RX Returns LLC, Walgreens, Blaze Pizza, WUOT 91.9, B 97.5, WBIR TV Channel 10, and the University of Tennessee's Academy of Student Pharmacists.

Can't make it to the collection event? Old medicines can be brought anytime to the Knoxville Police Department, 800 Howard Baker Jr. Ave., and deposited in a secure collection container located near the information desk.