[Pharmwaste] San Francisco Bay's Safe Medicine Disposal Days Report

[North, Karin]

To interested parties-

Jen Jackson and I wanted to thank everyone again who participated in the San Francisco Bay's Safe Medicine Disposal Days this past May.  Attached is the long awaited final report that summarizes the event.

Executive Summary
In May 2006, the Bay Area Pollution Prevention Group (BAPPG) piloted a first-of-its-kind regional collection event for residential pharmaceutical waste.  Throughout the Bay Area, more than 1,500 residents disposed of 3,634 lbs of pharmaceutical waste at 39 locations.  The BAPPG coordinated this pilot program with 17 agencies that managed the collection event details, which included location, staffing, police presence, and documentation of controlled substances.  

Residents were asked to participate in a survey at each collection event.  The survey results found that one quarter of participants had previously disposed of medication down the sanitary sewer, while close to half previously disposed of medication in the trash. 

Overall, the Safe Medicine Disposal Days held 5 press events, garnering five television clips, nine print articles, and four radio spots. The numbers of participants in this pilot event were small compared to the 7 million people who live in the Bay Area; however, the increase in awareness is immeasurable.  Approximately 2 lbs per resident who participated in the pilot were collected.  This amount reflects the need for wastewater and solid waste agencies to work together to find a long-term sustainable disposal solution.    

Feel free to contact Jen Jackson jacksonj at ebmud.com or myself if you have any questions.

Happy reading!

Best,

Karin Didriksen North
Associate Engineer
Environmental Compliance Group
City of Palo Alto
650-494-7629
Fax 650-494-3531
email: karin.north at cityofpaloalto.org
www.cityofpaloalto.org/cleanbay
www.cityofpaloalto.org/waterreuse
 <<SFBAYSafeMeds_Report_August2006.pdf>> 

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