SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY OFFERS TO DISPOSE OF YOUR DRUGS

The Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority (Authority) is hosting the first of 10 weekend medication collection events this Saturday, March 11, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. The medications do not need to be labeled and the service is completely free and anonymous.

The Authority has been accepting over-the-counter and non-controlled prescription medication for many years. In response to a request to expand collection of pharmaceuticals to include controlled substances, the Authority partnered with the Rockland County Sheriff’s department to now offer a controlled substance medication drop off opportunity at the 10 weekend collection events at the Authority’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility located on Firemen’s Memorial Drive in Pomona.

Residents will be able to drop off their unused or expired controlled and non-controlled substance medication for safe, proper disposal. “We want to educate our residents on current outlets for disposal such as the Rockland County Sheriff’s department and local police departments and let them know the Authority also provides a safe, secure option when it comes to disposing of their unwanted medication,” Anna Roppolo, executive director of the Authority said.

Residents can drop off of their controlled and non-controlled medications to Household Hazardous Waste Facility during the scheduled weekend events. Rockland residents also have the alternative to dispose of their unwanted medication 24/7 at the Rockland County sheriff’s office or their local police department. Currently the local police departments who participate in the take back program include the Clarkstown, Orangeburg, Stony Point, Piermont, Nyack, Spring Valley and Suffern. As a reminder, SHARPS (needles) are not accepted at the HHW Facility or as part of law enforcement programs.

Flushing unused or expired medication down the toilet can contaminate our water supply and hurt our environment. Residents are strongly urged to utilize the alternatives available to ensure proper disposal and deter medication from being used by others than intended.

The Authority will continue to educate residents about pharmaceutical disposal in Rockland County at upcoming events, including paper shredding events at each of the five towns. As a reminder the first paper shredding event will take place on Sunday, March 26, 2017 at Ramapo Town Hall from 8 a.m. – 12 noon. A complete list of all paper shredding events and week end collection events is listed in the 2017 Household Hazardous Waste brochure mailed to each household last week.

For more information call the Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority at 845-753-2200.