Cleaning out your medicine cabinet can help the community

By Abigail Blonigen

Acluttered medicine cabinet seems to be a staple of every household. However, there are many risks associated with having expired or unwanted medication lying around. This is why the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District started “Medicine Cabinet Clean-Out Day” back in 2007.

Since then, they have hosted 38 collection events and have collected 17,000 pounds of unwanted medication.

There are three main concerns when it comes to an excess of prescription medications: illicit use, accidental poisoning and environmental damage.

“A lot of the research in the wastewater world was pointing to potential environmental impacts of residual pharmaceuticals in the receiving waters,” said Sarah Lerohl, environmental program coordinator at WLSSD.

This is partially due to the improper disposal of medications by putting them down the drain or flushing them. What started as largely an environmental initiative, WLSSD was soon joined in their efforts by local law enforcement, who saw the clean-out days as a way to potentially reduce the misuse of prescription drugs. WLSSD now sponsors four sites at law enforcement centers so people can drop off unwanted medications yearround. These sites have collected and destroyed 9,500 pounds of unwanted medications since their start in 2012. Essentia Health pharmacies and the Plaza Walgreens are now drop-off sites as well.

“What we’re trying to provide with the clean-out events is awareness and an impetus to act … but there are other options that are always there in our community,” Lerohl said.

The “Medicine Cabinet Clean-

Out Days” are held three times a year. During them, people can drive to the WLSSD facility and safely dispose of their medications without even having to get out of their car. Each event brings in over 200 people.

Whether one attends one of WSLLD’s clean-out days or takes their medication to another drop-off site, one must keep the medication in its original container sealed in a clear plastic bag. If one does not have the original container, it is best to put the medicine in a clear plastic bag and write the name of the medication on the bag.

Though completely anonymous, one may cross out their name on the container if they wish to do so. These sites accept all forms of medication, whether it be tablets or liquid, but needles, syringes, lancets and thermometers are accepted only at the WLSSD Household Hazardous Waste facility. As always, keep any and all medications out of reach of children.

Though it is legal to put pharmaceuticals in the trash, proper disposal is the preferred method as the medicine is destroyed in an environmentally safe manner rather than being put into the ground.

“It’s part of a healthy lifestyle as well. You eat right, and you exercise, and you take care of your wastes the way you should,” Lerohl said.

“Take It to the Box” drop-off sites include the Duluth Police Department/St. Louis County Sheriff’s Public Safety Building, the West Duluth Police Substation, the Hermantown, Proctor, and Superior Police Departments Police Department, the Proctor Police Department, the Superior Police Department, Carlton County Planning & Zoning locations, St. Louis County Environmental Services locations, the Walgreens Pharmacy on East Superior Street and regional Essentia Health clinics.