Great Neck Water Pollution Control District Welcomes Residents to Shed the Meds Event

The Great Neck Water Pollution Control District (GNWPCD) welcomed more than 100 local residents to its free medical disposal drive-thru on September 17. The GNWPCD, in partnership with Reach Out America, Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition, North Shore Action, Nassau County Police, Northwell Health and the Boy Scouts, collected more than 400 pounds of expired and unused medications.

“Thanks to the Great Neck community and event partners, the District’s first-ever Shed the Meds event was an overwhelming success with a constant line of cars pulling through our drive-thru to drop off pharmaceutical waste,” said Commissioner Patty Katz. “This initiative not only garnered an incredible response from the community, but raised awareness of the harmful effects that flushing medication has to our water supply and environment.”

The GNWPCD continues its work to lower pharmaceutical compounds in the water system through its ongoing pharmaceutical takeback program. The District offers Great Neck residents pharmaceutical disposal kits with prepaid postage to dispose of unused medications in their original containers, including legally held Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled drugs and narcotics. Liquid medications up to four ounces must be placed in sealed plastic bags before inclusion in the disposal kits. For more information about drug schedules, please refer to the Drug Enforcement Agency website at www.dea.gov/druginfo/ds.shtml.

These free pharmaceutical disposal kits are available at District Headquarters, 236 East Shore Road, Great Neck, NY 11023.

“The District has once again stepped into a leading role amongst wastewater treatment facilities by offering ongoing opportunities for residents to safely dispose of their medications, said Commissioner Jerry Landsberg. “We look forward to continuing this initiative that benefits both the residents we serve and the environment.”