Medicine Cabinet Clean-Out Event

2011 Earth Day RecycleRama's Newest Addition:

Savannah's Medicine Cabinet Clean-Out Event: liquid and pill forms of human and pet medications will be accepted, to include: prescription and over-the-counter, and herbal and vitamin supplements.

April 23rd, 8am-11am at Forsyth Park, RecycleRama

A special THANK YOU to our partners Return Logistics Corp and South University for sponsoring this event!

This is the only opportunity Chatham County residents have to properly dispose of unused pharmaceuticals. The collections will be taken to a permitted facility and incinerated in compliance with Federal Law.

Facts About Accumulation and Improper Disposal of Pharmaceuticals

· The accumulation of unused and expired medications in the home can be a potential hazard. Overdose is the second leading cause of teenage death in the United States. Cases of hospitalization from accidental ingestion of medication by children and pets are increasing. And house guests or visitors my steal or misuse your medications. So how should you dispose of your pharmaceuticals?

Not Down The Drain!

· New chemical detection methods and a greater focus on water quality monitoring have resulted in the detection of small concentrations of medications in many drinking water sources across the US.

· Very small concentrations of the following have been detected in water sources across the US:

· Caffeine

· Analgesics

· Anti-inflammatories

· Anti-convulsants

· Anti-Anxiety meds

· Lipid regulators

· Antibiotics

· Hypertension meds

· Nicotine

* Concentrations detected have been as low as a few parts per trillion (1 teaspoon in 1,000 Olympic- sized pools).

* Though these compounds can now be detected, to date research has not demonstrated an impact on human health.

* The greatest concern is for the endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC’s) which originate from several sources. Limited studies have shown EDC has an impact on reproductive organs and sex identity in fish and amphibians.

· Recent research has shown that many EDCs are removed to varying degrees through conventional and advanced wastewater treatment and drinking water treatment. The variety of products and their degradation and properties make a single treatment process unlikely.

· Controlling the source with proper disposal is the best and least expensive method.

The City of Savannah believes that protecting our source water and the environment are core values. One way to proactively protect our waterways from the source of pharmaceuticals and other compounds is through proper disposal methods. The fish and animals dependent upon our rivers and streams do not metabolize these substances as humans do, and are potentially the most vulnerable to their presence.

We will be accepting all pill and liquid forms of human AND pet medications, so dig through your cabinets and dispose of your unused and expired medications properly!