GNWPCD Urging Residents to Properly Dispose of Old Meds

Locals can do their part to help keep local waterways and aquatic life safe by properly disposing of prescription drugs and utilizing government-sponsored programs, according to the The Great Neck Water Pollution Control District which  is encouraging Great Neck residents to take advantage of the Town of North Hempstead’s S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) program.

“Improper disposal of potential pollutants, such as flushing unused prescription drugs down the toilet, can cause serious environmental and medical problems,” said Great Neck Water Pollution Control District Commissioner Deena Lesser. “We are urging everyone to use proper disposal methods and take advantage of the Town of North Hempstead’s S.T.O.P. prescription drug take-back program.”

The Town Of North Hempstead’s S.T.O.P. program collects unwanted pharmaceutical medications and ensures that they are safely disposed. The program’s next drop off date and location is Saturday, Sept. 7 at Michael J. Tully Park, located at 1801 Evergreen Ave. in New Hyde Park.

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, in partnership with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has created guidelines for proper medication disposal. Guidelines include taking unneeded or expired medications out of their original packages and disposing of them in a trash receptacle, mixing prescription drugs with undesired substances including coffee grounds or used kitty litter, and then putting them in watertight, non-descript containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags, and never flushing medications down the toilet. The full list of guidelines can be found online here.

According to the GNWPCD, residents should also consider using TakeAway Envelopes for unused medication disposal. These envelopes are available for a small fee online or at local pharmacies. Fill then seal the bags, then return them for assured destruction via your USPS mail carrier, or nearby Post Office.

The Great Neck Water Pollution Control District encourages residents to call (516) 482-0238 for further information on medication disposal and environmental protection tips.