Previously, I wrote a post regarding the Geneva, Illinois and St. Charles, Illinois police departments offering a very beneficial program in which they aided their residents with the disposal of unused pre
scription medicines.
I wanted to update that post with the following information regarding other municipalities in the Chicagoland area that offer similar prescription disposal programs.
This new information posted here within this post is for the City of Lockport, Illinois ... and also the County of Will's Medication Take-Back Program. I hope this new information assists the residents in these areas with the disposal of their unused prescription medicines.
In Lockport, Illinois ... the Drug Disposal Collection location is found in the Lockport Police Department lobby, located at 1212 So. Farrell Road, Lockport.
Accepted prescription and non-prescriptions medicines (pills, salves, liquid medications in original container) must meet the following criteria to be accepted at the Lockport disposal site:
- Items not in their original containers MUST be packaged in non-leaking containers.
- Remove any personal information contained on the bottle or medicine. This safeguards your identity.
Unacceptable items include: needles, IV bags, medical waste, other sharp items, and thermometers.
The disposal container for the Lockport, Illinois site is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Those medications collected at this site are removed and taken to an approved Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) location for safe disposal. Further information regarding the Lockport, Illinois Drug Disposal Program can be directed to the Lockport Police Department's Crime Prevent Unit. Their number is: 815.838.2132, Ext. 2219.
The Will County (IL) Medication Take-Back Program was created to address the growing concern of medication/drug disposal and the problems disposal can crea
te. By creating this program in 2007 along with the assistance of the Illinois EPA and local pharmacies, Will County, IL hopes to reduce materials of this type ending up in landfills.
Program management also asks that residents of Will County avoid "flushing" old/unwanted medications down a drain or toilet. It has been proven that many of these chemicals/pharmaceuticals are surviving water infiltration and treatment facilities and end up in drinking water.
The County of Will (IL) also offers One-Day Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events ... which also accept medicines/drugs.
Items accepted through the Will County (IL) Medication Take-Back Program include:
- Over-the-Counter Medications
- Medical devices containing mercury (barometers, blood pressure units, thermometers, etc.)
- Prescription Medicines
- Prescription Inhalers
- Over-the Counter Inhalers
- Medicated Ointments
- Medicated Shampoos (both human and pet)
- Liquids containing Medications
- All the above can be Expired or Unwanted items
Those items NOT accepted through this program are:
- Bio-Hazardous Materials
- Radioactive Materials
- DEA Controlled Substances (Illegal Drugs, Narcotic Medications)
- Sharps/Needles
- Other Household Wastes
Again, all the following steps should be taken prior to dropping off the unwanted/unused medications:
- All items should be generated by the public/residents. NO BUSINESS OR DOCTOR'S OFFICE can take part in this program.
- Black-out or remove any personal information or label that is on the medication being disposed of.
- Drop-off unwanted/unused medications during disposal site's operating hours only.
For a complete listing of all the pharmacies and drop-off locations involved in the Will County (IL) Medication Take-Back Program, please go to: http://www.willcountylanduse.com/WasteServDiv/Documents/Pharm%20Take-Back_20100414.pdf
The Will County (IL) Medication Take-Back Program personnel and administrators ask that those residents dropping off items follow the above guidelines and directions ... and take care to drop-off items only to disposal side personnel or at pharmacies involved. All medications/drugs disposed of through the Will County (IL) Medication Take-Back Program are destroyed.
I hope this updated posts services to assist the residents of Lockport, Illinois and all of Will County, Illinois.
Gene Mundt, Sr. Vice President
Personal NMLS #216987
The Federal Savings Bank
1823 Centre Point Circle, Naperville, IL 60563
Skype! 630-219-1316
You are an angel here because this is so way important. I have said this time and time again, that when people loose a family member to death, that they need to learn to recycle instead of throw the meds down the toilet or in the garbage can! You are a true advocate and resource, Gene! I applaud you.
Barb: Wow ... thanks! You're so kind. And I totally agree about these programs. Unfortunately, many seniors now take multiple medications. What to do with unused .. or aborted prescription medications ... IS a huge problem for many families and ultimately everyone else. The fact that these programs exist proves that our local governments can be responsive to our needs and serve a greater purpose.
Now ... I wish there was some way to accept non-used medications and pass them on to those that are in need. So many are weighed down by the prohibitive costs of the medicines they need, because they don't have prescription insurance. Such waste!
Talk soon, Barb ...
Hospice took my Grandmother's meds. I wonder if they used them in some similar program. I'll have to ask some questions.
Tammy: It could be very beneficial to find out what the hospice did with your grandma's meds. You then can pass that info on to others. Not bad info to know ...
Gene
I never thought about this until now and that's having a wife who is a nurse. Great job Gene.
Joe: Guess we should be listening to our wives better?? Pass the message on about the meds ... Thanks for the kudos .. it's appreciated. See you soon!
Gene