[Pharmwaste] Resource guide on drug deactivation bags

Tue Jul 7 09:51:43 EDT 2026

EXTERNAL MESSAGE
This email originated outside of DEP. Please use caution when opening attachments, clicking links, or responding to this email.

Hi Brian,

Yes, I wanted to copy you since products for home disposal of medications are on EPA's radar.

By my thinking, it is unethical for companies making or selling drug home disposal products to purposefully create the false impression that safe disposal options are very limited (by not providing a link to the DEA's Year-Round Drop-Off Locations - Search Utility) in order to sell more product.

I would be happy to speak with anyone at the EPA (or the DEA) about this and why I think home disposal is significantly inferior to take-back & mail-back programs.

Best regards,
Ed

Ed Gottlieb

Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator / 4A Senior Operator

Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility

Chair, Tompkins County Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal

Member, NACWA Pretreatment Committee

Member, NYWEA Pretreatment/Industrial Wastewater Committee

525 3rd Street

Ithaca, NY 14850

(W) 607-273-8381 x4416

(C) 607-229-3722
________________________________
From: Knieser, Brian <knieser.brian at epa.gov>
Sent: Monday, July 6, 2026 5:24 PM
To: Ed Gottlieb <EGottlieb at cityofithaca.org>
Subject: RE: Resource guide on drug deactivation bags

Hi Ed,

Did you mean to copy me on this email? For what it’s worth, Kristin and I agree with you. Did you want to discuss this with us? Up to you.

Thanks,

Brian

From: Pharmwaste <pharmwaste-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us> On Behalf Of Ed Gottlieb
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2026 11:20 AM
To: Andrew Olsen <aolsen at growresolve.com>; info at ncaddwestchester.org; jdwyer at deterrasystem.com
Cc: dea at public.govdelivery.com; cfinley at nacwa.org; pharmwaste at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: [Pharmwaste] Resource guide on drug deactivation bags

Caution: This email originated from outside EPA, please exercise additional caution when deciding whether to open attachments or click on provided links.

EXTERNAL MESSAGE
This email originated outside of DEP. Please use caution when opening attachments, clicking links, or responding to this email.

Andrew,

Following the link you provided to Drug Rehab USA, there seem to be connections between GrowResolve, Drug Rehab USA, Deterrasystem, and NCADD. will you please clarify what the connections are?

Everyone agrees that convenient, free, safe, and effective options for disposal of unwanted medications are an important first step in preventing opioid addiction. Towards this end, I would urge all of these organizations to provide links to the DEA's Year-Round Drop-Off Locations - Search Utility (https://apps.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1<https://apps.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1>). When a website uses a proprietary medication disposal location finder or links to Google Maps, the chances are that most dropoff locations are missed. This inaccurately makes it seem like local disposal options are very limited, leaving home disposal pouches as the primary remaining option.

Sincerely,

Ed Gottlieb

Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator / 4A Senior Operator

Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility

Chair, Tompkins County Coalition for Safe Medication Disposal

Member, NACWA Pretreatment Committee

Member, NYWEA Pretreatment/Industrial Wastewater Committee

525 3rd Street

Ithaca, NY 14850

(W) 607-273-8381 x4416

________________________________

From: Andrew Olsen <aolsen at growresolve.com<mailto:aolsen at growresolve.com>>
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 9:42 PM
To: Ed Gottlieb <EGottlieb at cityofithaca.org<mailto:EGottlieb at cityofithaca.org>>
Subject: Re: Resource guide on drug deactivation bags

Thank you for getting back to me.

I'm afraid, I'm only available through email.

Please let me know if that's possible.

-----Original Message-----

Andrew,

I have a few questions. Please call me when you have a chance.

Ed

Ed Gottlieb

Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator / 4A Senior Operator

Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility

525 3rd Street

Ithaca, NY 14850

(W) 607-273-8381 x 4416

________________________________

From: Andrew Olsen <aolsen at growresolve.com<mailto:aolsen at growresolve.com>>
Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2026 9:43 AM
To: Ed Gottlieb <EGottlieb at cityofithaca.org<mailto:EGottlieb at cityofithaca.org>>
Subject: Re: Resource guide on drug deactivation bags

Hi Ed

I hope all is well.

This will be my last nudge regarding the resource page suggestion on how the community can prevent medication abuse and subsequent addiction with proper use of drug deactivation bags. No worries if it’s not the right fit for now, but if you have feedback or anything, feel free to email us.

I wish you continued success.

Best regards,
Andrew

-----Original Message-----

Hi Ed

I hope this message finds you well. A short while ago, I sent you an email regarding our resource guide on drug deactivation bags. This resource could be immensely beneficial for veterans.

I understand inboxes can get overwhelming, so I’m bringing this back to your attention. I would love to hear your thoughts on it!

Cheers,
Andrew

-----Original Message-----

Hi Ed

I hope you’re doing well!

Our team really appreciates your efforts in supporting your readers and community members with facts and figures regarding drug use, rehabilitation, and overall wellness, particularly on how you disseminate valuable information through this resource page:

http://cityofithacany.gov/677/Safe-Medication-Disposal<http://cityofithacany.gov/677/Safe-Medication-Disposal>

According to statistics, 50% of individuals who misused prescription painkillers got them from their friends and families. Prescription drugs are used as recreational drugs, which may lead to accidental overdose. One of the most recent and effective resources in the battle against medication abuse and subsequent addiction is drug deactivation bags. This allows users to safely and responsibly dispose of their leftover prescription supplies.

Our team came up with a comprehensive guide on the use of drug deactivation bags to help reduce the health risks posed by expired and unused drugs.

Here’s the link for your convenience:
https://drugrehabus.org/drug-deactivation/<https://drugrehabus.org/drug-deactivation/>

This resource covers the following:
- How drug deactivation bags work?
- Why you shouldn’t just flush unused and expired medications down the toilet?
- How effective are drug disposal bags?
- Where to get drug disposal bags?
- How to find drug disposal locations near you.

This content will guide families and community members on how to dispose of unused and expired medications properly. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you require more details or wish to discuss how this guide can benefit your community.
We look forward to the opportunity to contribute to your incredible work. Thank you so much.

Warm regards,
Andrew Olsen
Content Advocate @ Grow Resolve
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