[Pharmwaste] Pharmwaste Listserv concerns

Volkman, Jennifer (MPCA) jennifer.volkman at state.mn.us
Tue Oct 31 19:00:37 EDT 2017


The traffic cycles with issues. Initially it was a lot of studies outlining impacts to the environment and drinking water. Then we learned pharms are everywhere, so you can just google that sort of thing if you need it. There was a lot of traffic just before and after the DEA rules became effective, which was very helpful. The latest areas of interest are product stewardship actions to get manufacturers on board to help deal with the waste issue; and the ongoing discussion of 45's approach to the opioid crisis, as Ed shared earlier.  Catherine is correct that we should be pushing upstream. I think the list serve still has value and if you can hang on awhile, I think it is worth it.

I would prefer not to see advertising, but my comments have always surrounded the notion that it should be fair-either everyone gets to, or no one gets to. Some long time participants have done a super job of increasing our knowledge while not hawking their services. Then a few odd balls show up and only claim they have "the best option" for dealing with the problem for only $x.99, vs. sharing knowledge. Again, google is your friend.

Thank you for everything you and the state have done to support the list serve! I wish I could set it up here, but looks like that's a no go.

Cheers,
Jennifer Volkman

From: Pharmwaste [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Catherine Zimmer
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2017 10:09 AM
To: 'Scarborough, Jill R.' <Jill.R.Scarborough at dep.state.fl.us>; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: Re: [Pharmwaste] Pharmwaste Listserv concerns

Hi Jill and all,

Jill, thank you for coordinating the list.  I believe the list still has value as a place to exchange information about what is happening in the world of pharmaceutical waste.   I believe the exchanges have diminished due to the increase in pharmaceutical waste collection-both programs and vendor supplied systems. And, attrition on the list due to retirement and sadly, death.  I agree with others on the list that this is not the place for vendors to advertise their products.

I also would like to see the list focus more on source reduction of pharmaceuticals, e.g. minimized prescription sizes and minimized prescriptions/human/animal ingestion in general.  Or, how do we prevent these biologically active chemicals from release to the environment where a significant body of evidence indicates Wildlife is being impacted?  If we aren't going to source reduce drug (and other chemical waste) then, we must, as Switzerland is doing, pay for tertiary treatment at the wastewater plant.

I'm curious as to what others see being done in the source reduction arena.

Very truly yours,

Catherine Zimmer, MS, BSMT
Executive director, HEARRT Midwest<http://www.hearrtmidwest.wildapricot.org/>
Principal, Zimmer Environmental Improvement
Improving processes, minimizing and managing waste and, reducing costs.
T:  651.645.7509
zenllc at usfamily.net<mailto:zenllc at usfamily.net>



From: Pharmwaste [mailto:pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Scarborough, Jill R.
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2017 12:56 PM
To: pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us>
Subject: [Pharmwaste] Pharmwaste Listserv concerns


Hi Everyone,



I understand there are some concerns regarding the pharmwaste listserv.



Here's some details about how the listserv is managed/administered.

     *   I do not approve or disapprove new members.  I do not get notifications about new members or about existing members changing their preferences (for example if they unsubscribe       or change to getting a "daily digest").
     *   I do not approve or disapprove of messages.
     *   Some of you may have issues with creating "bounces" and getting an automated email (that I am not notified of) saying that your membership has been disabled.  My understanding is that this is an issue with attachments, links, and other things (policies enacted by your company/IT group) that cause mail servers to kick out an email.



The Mailing List Manager that is used by Florida DEP is "Mailman."  It is a free software and, according to Florida DEP's Mailing List information page, we are using version 2.1.15.  According to the software's website, they have two current versions: 2.1.25 and 3.1.  To my knowledge, there is no plan to update the version that Florida DEP is using.



I have heard from a few members that advertisements and self-promotional items are a nuisance and are at odds with the purpose of the listserv.  This listserv was initially developed, in 2005, to provide an electronic location for a national dialogue on the emerging issue of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment.  There has been a steady decrease in activity, participation, and general discussion.  This is not to say that pharmaceuticals and personal care products are no longer an environmental concern but rather that the need for this listserv may be waning.



At the moment, there is no easy answer for how to address the issues that have cropped up.  I welcome your solutions and would like to hear from you.  Please note, the likelihood of Florida DEP buying/paying for newer software is low (based on the current utilization rate we have for this listserv).  It has been suggested to me that I try to find someone else (perhaps another agency) to host and manage the listserv.  I do not think that Florida DEP would allow a someone who is not a Florida DEP employee to be the administrator of the listserv in its current location.



Again, I'd like to hear solutions if you have them.



Thank you,

Jill Scarborough

Jill R. Scarborough
Environmental Consultant
Division of Waste Management
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
850-245-8782



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