WLSSD Hosting Collection Event For Unwanted Medication This Week In Duluth
Cleaning out your medicine cabinet is easy to put off, but something that should be done, especially if there are kids who have access to what's inside.
If you look through any medicine cabinet, you'll likely find at least one medication that is no longer needed or has simply expired. The question is how do you properly dispose of medication?
The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) is not only creating the perfect incentive to clean out your medicine cabinet, but they're also making it easy to dispose of any unwanted or expired medication that you may find.
WLSSD is hosting a free collection event for those medications at its regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility, located at 2626 Courtland Street, Gate 9, in Duluth.
The free medication collection event will take place on Friday, October 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Medicine Cabinet Clean-Out Day is a one-day event offering residents free disposal of unwanted medications in a safe, convenient, and environmentally sound manner. Due to U.S. drug laws, medication can only be accepted at this location during these specially-staffed events.
“Cleaning out your medicine cabinet is a great way to clean up before winter,” said Ryan Ihrke, WLSSD environmental program coordinator. “Safely discarding unwanted medicine is an easy and important part of maintaining a safe home, protecting loved ones, and reducing harm to fish and other aquatic life.”
They add that Medicine Cabinet Cleanout events are a community effort aimed at preventing accidental poisonings, diversion of medicines for illicit purposes, and the introduction of pharmaceuticals into local waterways via improper disposal down the drain or toilet.
WLSSD offers the following tips to prepare medicines for all drop-off programs:
- Bring prescription or over-the-counter medication in its original container and place it in a sealed clear plastic bag.
- Cross off or scratch out identifying information if desired. Drop-off is anonymous, no ID is required.
- Keep medications out of reach of children while storing and transporting material.
- Needles or other medical sharps are only accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste facility, not drop box sites. Separate and package them in rigid containers such as laundry detergent bottles for safe disposal.
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department will provide law enforcement staff at the event while pharmacists from Essentia Health and St. Luke’s Hospitals and Clinics will aid in sorting and identifying the collected medication.
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