[Pharmwaste] Yellow Jug Old Drugs program receives grant of $77, 125 from Michigan DEQ

[chris angel]

NEWS RELEASE Issue Date: 6.13.12

Contact for interview: Chris Angel 989-736-8179 info at greatlakescleanwater.org

Yellow Jug Old Drugs program receives grant of $77,125 from Michigan DEQ

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality recently awarded the Yellow Jug Old Drugs program a
$77,125 grant. A total of $250,000 in funding was awarded through the Michigan Community Pollution Prevention (P2)
Grant Program for the development of ongoing household drug collection programs.

The Yellow Jug Old Drugs program was started by Great Lakes Clean Water, a non-profit organization in May
2009. Yellow Jug Old Drugs is a program that works in partnership with local pharmacies to collect and properly
dispose of unwanted/unused drugs in a safe and approved manner to help keep our water clean. Individuals can dispose
of unused/unwanted drugs free of charge at participating pharmacies. Participating pharmacies help support the program
to provide this important service to their communities.

A total of 40,373 lbs. of unused drugs has been collected to date. Collected drugs are taken to a Waste-to
Energy facility for proper disposal. The Yellow Jug Old Drugs program is the only drug collection program in Michigan
that is available state-wide. Currently, there are 220 Participating pharmacies all across Michigan

Chris Angel, President of Great Lakes Clean Water Organization states, “This grant will be tremendously
helpful in increasing awareness of the importance of safe and proper disposal of unused/unwanted drugs to help keep
our water clean and also enables us to implement several projects that will have a long-lasting impact."

The Michigan DEQ grant funding will be used to:
 Produce and broadcast a 30 minute documentary in cooperation with CMU Public Broadcasting
 Produce Video and Radio PSA’s to be broadcast on TV and radio stations as a community service
 Adapt informational material for accessibility for persons with disabilities
 Translate Printed material in Spanish and Arabic (Southeast Michigan has one of the largest Arabic
speaking populations in the U.S.)
 Work with local substance abuse prevention agencies to educate citizens about the importance of
proper disposal to help reduce prescription drug abuse.
 Outreach to Michigan Pharmacies and Pharmacy students

The full draft work plan for the project is available at www.greatlakescleanwater.org

Chris Angel, President
Volunteer Board of Dir.
Great Lakes Clean Water Organization
www.greatlakescleanwater.org 
989.736.8179
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