WLSSD to host collection event for unwanted medication

The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) will host a free collection event for unwanted or expired medications at its regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility on Friday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 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 these specially-staffed events.

Proper disposal of unwanted medication is a community effort. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department will provide law enforcement staff at the event to comply with U.S. drug laws, while pharmacists from SMDC will aid in the sorting and identifying the collected medication.

Residents may bring their own or a family member’s unwanted or expired medication to the drive-through area at the Household Hazardous Waste facility for free and confidential disposal. The facility is located at 2626 Courtland St., Duluth.

Darley- Hill recommends that residents attending the event:

• Bring prescription or over-the-counter medication in its original container with all information about the medication visible to assist with sorting. Names and addresses may be covered or scratched out.

• Keep medications out of reach of children while waiting for and transporting material to the event.

• Keep needles or other medical sharps separate and packaged in rigid containers such as laundry detergent or soda bottles for safe disposal.

Residents who are unable to attend this event may dispose of unwanted medications in the garbage after properly preparing the medication per Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recommendations. These recommendations can be found at www.pca.state.mn.us/oea/hhw/pharmaceuticals.cfm.

More information is available on WLSSD’s Web site at www.wlssd.com/pollution_pharmaceutical.php.

Tags: daily updates, hazardous waste, news, business, wlssd