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			 “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] |