[Pharmwaste] Yellow Jug Old Drugs Update letter

Thu May 11 12:26:59 EDT 2017

Hi Chris:

First, I want to thank you for your personal commitment to clean water and this issue.  I'm very sad to hear it hasn't found a sustainable funding source but I'm also not surprised.

To me, this just makes the case for getting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) ordinances and legislation passed across the country.  We know how to solve the problem, but we don't have the funding to do it and if done on a broad scale by the private sector, it would be much more cost effective.  It can also be very productive if government has the authority to oversee the program.

To date, there are producer pays ordinances (most on our website with videos of the adoption hearings https://calpsc.org/products/pharmaceuticals/)  with 8 in California, 4 in Washington, 1 Cook County (Chicago) Illinois, and 1 in Rockland County NY.  Which county, city is next?  We need to keep the pressure on as we have privatized profit and socialized costs for waste management and its breaking the government's bank account.  The medical establishment needs to help clean up its own waste. We need shared responsibility so the producers and others in the product chain help fund and operate systems for problematic waste products like medicines and needles.

My sincerest thanks to you Chris for your hard work and sharing your program with all of us!

Heidi

Heidi Sanborn | Executive Director
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     O: (916) 706-3420 | C: (916) 402-3911
                      heidi at calpsc.org<mailto:heidi at calpsc.org>

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-----Original Message-----
From: Pharmwaste [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Chris Angel
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 8:46 AM
To: Pharmwaste <pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us>
Subject: [Pharmwaste] Yellow Jug Old Drugs Update letter

TO: Participating Pharmacies and Partners

FR: Chris Angel, President Founder Great Lakes/US Clean Water

Since the start of Great Lakes Clean Water (GLCW) and the Yellow Jug Old Drugs Program I have envisioned a time when collection of Rx-Waste would be commonplace and wide spread across the US.  I still believe that.

However the idea may be ahead of its time. A few weeks ago we sent out a letter detailing the accomplishments of GLCW since starting the Yellow Jug Old Drugs Program in 2008. We also cited what needed to happen to keep the program viable.  These were:

•             Paying the program fee for 2017 that was due 1.1.17 if you have not

done so yet. Over 200 pharmacies have not paid the $300 fee.

•             Agree to utilize the new collection method.

•             Make a special donation to Great Lakes US Clean Water. Additional

resources are always helpful, especially at this important stage.

•             Encourage customers to make a donation to the program. (Our goal has

always been to have to have programs like this funded 1/3 by pharmacies,

1/3 individuals. 1/3 pharmaceutical companies.

To date we have not received the support we need to allow us to continue operation of the Yellow Jug Old Drugs Program.

I do sincerely apologize if your pharmacy has paid your fee for 2017 and you are affected by this. We are not in a position to provide any credit for program fees paid.  I want to assure you that any money we have received has been used entirely on program operation.  I personally have not taken a wage or received any compensation in over two years. I volunteered my time because I believe this to be a very important issue.

I have heard from entities interested in purchasing the rights and intellectual property to operate the Yellow Jug Old Drugs Program. I am making other potentially interested parties aware of the opportunity.

The right entity, with sufficient capital and human resources can provide a needed service to a growing number of pharmacies and find it to be very lucrative. My desire is that we can connect the right entity before the end of May to provide some sort of transition as soon as possible. Interested entities should contact me for more information.

In the meantime, we are not in a financial position to conduct in person collection at pharmacies. You may ship non-controlled substances to us (shipping charges paid by you) to our warehouse prior to May 25. The returned jugs will be taken to the high temperature incinerator in Detroit for destruction. An instruction sheet will be posted at www.YellowJugOldDrugsProgram<http://www.YellowJugOldDrugsProgram> by Friday 5.12. We are requesting information from the DEA on how to handle controlled substances that have been collected at pharmacies. Details to follow.  If you have questions send them to me ChrisAngel at GreatLakes-US-CleanWater.Org<mailto:ChrisAngel at GreatLakes-US-CleanWater.Org>

I am proud of the work GLCW has done on this issue. The focus for GLCW will now be education and promotion of clean water initiatives including the proper disposal of Rx-Waste. Because of my experience in the field, I have been asked to provide consulting services with a state desiring to run a drug collection program, as well consulting with a large medical waste collector that is interested in tapping into the potential of this high growth industry. I do plan, as time allows to provide consulting services to other Federal, state, and private and non-profit entities on this issue. A lot of work yet needs to be done.

I am hopeful that one day a more permanent funding structure will be available for programs like this. In our case, the will, desire and a great product are in place. The only piece lacking is adequate funding.

--

Chris Angel, President

www.GreatLakes-US-CleanWater.org<http://www.GreatLakes-US-CleanWater.org>

www.YellowJugOldDrugsProgram.com<http://www.YellowJugOldDrugsProgram.com>

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