The City of Knoxville and other organizations will host an Unwanted Medications Collection Event from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., Saturday, July 23 at the Food City in Northgate Plaza.

The event also includes a mercury thermometer exchange giving residents a chance to exchange old mercury thermometers for safe models, while supplies last.

The Food City is located at 4216 Broadway just south of Interstate 640.

This medication collection event - sponsored by the Knoxville Medication Collection Program - offers residents an opportunity to turn in unwanted and out dated prescriptions, over the counter medicines and used mercury thermometers.

Members of the group will collect and properly dispose of the unwanted medicines and thermometers and also recycle the empty plastic containers for the medicines if they are left with the organizers.

In addition a free digital thermometer will be given in exchange for every mercury thermometer turned in while supplies last.

The event is sponsored by: The Knoxville Police Department, City and County Solid Waste Offices, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, UT Academy of Student Pharmacists, Hallsdale-Powell Utility District, the Metropolitan Drug Commission, AmeriChoice by UnitedHealthcare, KUB, WBIR CH-10, Food City and the Knox County Health Department

Other collection events taking place on the 23rd will be in Anderson County and Scott County. More information on the locations of those events can be found at www.medicationcollection.org.

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

In Knoxville old medicines can also be brought to the Knoxville Police Department, located at 800 Howard Baker Jr. Avenue, after the event where they can be deposited in a secure collection container located near the information desk for disposal.