Dept. of Environmental Control and Calumet Township Sponsor Prescription Drug Take-back in Calumet Park

Environmental

On Friday, April 6th from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm the Cook County Department of Environmental Control and Calumet Township is sponsoring a free Prescription Drug Take-back program.  This event is a low-cost, high-value opportunity to tackle a critical environmental issue.  The EPA has asked people not to flush old medications, as trace elements have been found in groundwater.  Each year, close to 5,000 tons of pharmaceutical and personal care products enter the waste stream.  Many survive water treatment processes and end up in drinking water.  Medicines improperly disposed of end up in landfills, leading to the potential of accidental overdose by animals and humans.

Residents can drop off unused prescription drugs at Calumet Town Hall, 12633 S. Ashland Ave, in Calumet Park. This one-day collection event is sponsored by  the Cook County Dept. of Environmental Control and the Calumet Township. For more information, contact the Township at 1-708-388-6606 or Cook County Environmental Control( frank.coconate@cookcountyil.gov) at 1312-603-8217.

Residents should bring only medication items—not items from businesses or doctors’ offices.  To ensure anonymity and security, people are asked to black-out all prescription label information.  Take prescriptions to the drop off center ONLY during event hours.

Acceptable items include:

  • Prescription drugs
  • Over the counter medications
  • Medicated ointments and shampoos
  • Liquids containing medication
  • Prescription and over the counter inhalers
  • Glass thermometers and other instruments that contain mercury

Unacceptable items include:

  • DEA controlled substances
  • Narcotics
  • Illegal drugs
  • Sharps or needles
  • Bio-hazardous materials
  • Radioactive materials
  • Other toxic household wastes

For more information about the Prescription Drug Take-back, contact Calumet Township at 1-708-388-6606 or Cook County Environmental Control (frank.coconate@cookcountyil.gov) at 1-312-603-8217.

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