<font face="arial, helvetica" size="-1">The following Waste & Recycling News article was forwarded to you by Brian Stenz.<p><p>************************************************************<p>What a great service that Covanta Energy is offering.<p>************************************************************<p><p><b>Covanta extends free unused pharmaceutical collection</b><p>March 26 -- In an effort to keep prescription drugs out of the water supply, Covanta Energy is extending a free service to local governments as it begins a national program to collected unwanted and unused pharmaceuticals.<P>
Covanta, which develops, owns and operates waste-to-energy facilities in the U.S. and Europe, has begun a free disposal and destruction service for prescriptions and medications collected by local governments in drug take-back programs. <P>
When flushed down the drain, or disposed of in landfills, such products contaminate surface waters and have an adverse effect on the environment, studies have shown.<P>
"Studies have shown that pharmaceuticals are present in our nation´s streams and rivers. We want to help prevent the discharge of these drugs into the waters that we drink, the waters where we fish and the waters where we swim," said John G. Waffenschmidt, vice president of environmental science and community affairs. "Our facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art combustion controls and air pollution control equipment to ensure the destruction of these drugs in an environmentally sound manner, one that protects the water we depend upon day in and day out. Our facilities ensure that any pharmaceuticals processed in them do not end up in surface waters."<P>
Municipalities interested in participating in the program must obtain appropriate regulatory approvals in order to ensure that such wastes are not classified as hazardous waste from a federal, state or local perspective. Each program would be subject to a due diligence review by Covanta Energy. Municipalities interested in participating should contact Larry DellaVecchia, director of Covanta secure services at 973-882-7310.<P>
Contact Waste & Recycling News reporter Amanda Smith-Teutsch at 330-865-6166 or asmith-teutsch@crain.com<P>
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