“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.
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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] |