[Pharmwaste] Yellow Jug Old Program for RxWaste Expands to Indiana and Ohio Now Available in Five of the Eight Great Lakes States

[Chris Angel]

NEWS RELEASE                                                                                      Issue Date 5.5.14
CONTACT: Chris Angel  989-736-8179    info at greatlakescleanwater.org

Yellow Jug Old Drugs Program Expands to Indiana and Ohio
Now Available in Five of the Eight Great Lakes States

Started by Great Lakes Clean Water Organization (GLCW) in 2008, the Yellow Jug Old Drugs Program partners with local pharmacies to provide secure and responsible drug disposal
Until recently when an individual wanted to dispose of unused/ unwanted/expired drugs the only option available in many communities was to flush these substances down the drain or send to a landfill.  This has led to an emerging problem of trace amounts of chemicals showing up in our water.  Since
starting, the program has collected and properly disposed over 45.75 tons of unused/unwanted drugs in partnership with participating pharmacies.
The program started in Michigan is available in Illinois, Wisconsin, and as of May 2014 in Indiana and Ohio. GLCW plans to reach out to pharmacies in these new states of Indiana and Ohio to encourage them to participate. Additional outreach efforts are planned for Michigan Illinois and Wisconsin as
well. Pharmacies interested in participating should call 989-736-8179 or visit  www.greatlakescleanwater.org
Pharmacies are proving to the most convenient and logical location for consumers to dispose of unused/unwanted drugs in a safe and approved manner.

•	With more consumers being environmentally conscious, pharmacies that participate benefit by being able to demonstrate their active involvement in helping to keep our water clean.
•	Pharmacies that participate often see an increase in customer traffic from customers visiting their store to drop off unused/unwanted medications.
•	When DEA regulations become final to allow retail pharmacies to collect controlled substances, pharmacies already partnering with the YJOD program will have first opportunity. Expected in 2014.

GLCW plans to have the program available in the other Great Lakes States NY, PA and MN in 2015.
The Yellow Jug Old Drugs Program is the largest, most experienced, professionally operated drug collection program in the Great Lakes. Program costs are supported primarily by pharmacies that provide program fee of $25 per month to participate. Organizations and individuals are also encouraged to
help sponsor the cost to provide the program at their local pharmacy.
For more information visit www.greatlakescleanwater.org