Illinois EPA Accepting Applications for FY20 Medication Takeback Program
Program Targets Opioids and Other Drugs to Protect Individuals and the Environment

 

[June 08, 2019] 

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2020 Medication Takeback Program. The program will provide funding to communities or organizations for the safe disposal of opioids and other harmful medications collected from residents.

“To date, the Illinois EPA Medication Takeback Program has already removed 20 tons of unused medication in fiscal year 2019,” said Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim. “This program not only properly disposes of medication to protect our water resources, but it also assists communities in addressing the opioid crisis, and we look to do even more in the next fiscal year.”

For the FY19 program, there were 104 community partners in the Medication Takeback Program, and the Illinois EPA is seeking to expand upon those partnerships. Communities and organizations interested in being part of the Medication Takeback Program should complete and submit the application available online at https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/ Documents/iepa/waste-management/ waste-disposal/medication-disposal/ medication-takeback-application.pdf.  Applications must be submitted by June 15, 2019 for collections beginning on July 1, 2019. Application Instructions are also available on the EPA website.

Medication should always be used as directed and stored properly to avoid accidental poisoning or other complications. Illinois EPA reminds residents that the improper disposal of unused or unwanted medications creates the potential for harmful chemicals to end up in lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater. Medications should NOT be flushed down the toilet or poured into a sink.
 

Additional information on the safe disposal of medicine and a list of existing collection locations can be found at https://www2.illinois.gov/ epa/topics/ waste-management/waste-disposal/ medication-disposal/Pages/default.aspx.  Note: Funding for the Medication Takeback Program is subject to final appropriation authorization from the Illinois General Assembly.

[Illinois Environmental Protection Agency]