[Pharmwaste] What to restrict from drop-boxes?

[Shield, Margaret]

Please see attached for a guide, with helpful pictures, to what is accepted and not accepted at most medicine take-back locations in WA State.  This pdf provides links to www.TakeBackYourMeds.org<http://www.TakeBackYourMeds.org> website for WA State where further information is listed about how to dispose of non-accepted items.  Any special restrictions that a take-back site might have are listed in our searchable database of take-back locations.
Best!
Margaret Shield PhD, Policy Liaison
Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County
(desk) 206-477-6238
(cell) 206-265-9732
Local Governments for Health and the Environment - www.lhwmp.org<http://www.lhwmp.org/>

From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Volkman, Jennifer (MPCA)
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2014 8:55 AM
To: Howard Anderson; 'Ed Gottlieb'; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] What to restrict from drop-boxes?

We don't restrict liquids or aerosols in MN and have no plans to do so. I don't know why there is mention of restrictions related to shipment by air--for disposal? No one does that. This is not an issue.
________________________________
From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us> [pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] on behalf of Howard Anderson [NDBoPh at btinet.net]
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2014 9:24 AM
To: 'Ed Gottlieb'; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us>
Subject: RE: [Pharmwaste] What to restrict from drop-boxes?
Sometimes we come up with so many scare tactics, we do not accomplish anything!

Howard

Howard C. Anderson, Jr.,R.Ph.
Retired and Now
Treasurer/Chief Compliance Officer
North Dakota Board of Pharmacy
1906 E. Broadway Ave.
P.O. Box 1354
Bismarck, ND  58502-1354
Phone (701) 328-9535
Fax (701) 328-9536
Web site www.nodakpharmacy.com<http://www.nodakpharmacy.com>

From: pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us> [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Ed Gottlieb
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2014 9:31 AM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us>
Subject: [Pharmwaste] What to restrict from drop-boxes?

Hi pharmwaste listserv,

All drop-box programs list items that are accepted and items that aren't.

Sharps, bio-hazardous waste, chemotherapy medications, and thermometers are almost always listed as not accepted.  Some programs specifically restrict less (or more!) obvious items such as:  trash, mail, and guns.
I think we can all agree there are good reasons for not accepting any of these items.

What about liquids, ointments, inhalers, and aerosol cans?  I regularly see these on "not accepted" lists.

Most boxes have internal, removable totes that should be lined with a plastic bag.  Liquid spills should not be a problem from the clean-up perspective.  I've not seen any evidence that spilled liquids can cause dangerous chemical reactions to occur, an explanation I was given for one programs ban.  Are there documented problems caused by a spill of hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or any other liquid medication?  Can explosive conditions develop?  Will active ingredients volatilize and contaminate the air if spilled alcohol dissolves medication it comes in contact with?

Do inhalers and other aerosol cans actually cause problems in a drop-box or at the incinerator?

I believe that most programs copy their "not accepted" list from an existing program.  Maybe some of these restricted items could be safely accepted?  Or, is it wiser to keep restricting them to avoid a possible hazard, however unlikely?

With luck, pharmacies will soon be launching their own programs, greatly expanding the accessability of take-back programs.  Can we offer them guidance on this issue?  Your thoughts are appreciated.

Ed

Ed Gottlieb
Chair, Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal
Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator
Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility
525 3rd Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 273-8381
fax: (607) 273-8433


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