Press Release - Thursday, April 17, 2008
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Illinois EPA and Champaign County Carle RxExpress pharmacies collect unused and expired prescription medicines
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) has joined with Carle RxExpress, the City of Urbana, the City of Champaign and the Prairie Rivers Network to host a pharmaceutical collection at several area locations, where unused and expired prescription drugs and other medications can be dropped off. The Illinois EPA will then take possession of the items collected and ensure that they are transported and safely disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner, diverting them from Illinois waterways and landfills.
The Illinois EPA has become a national leader in developing programs to keep pharmaceuticals out of our drinking water and the waters of the state. "There is emerging evidence that pharmaceuticals can be harmful to aquatic life, and many are concerned about the trace amounts that are found in some drinking water," said Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott. "This collection gives residents the chance to clean out their medicine cabinets and dispose of unused or unwanted pharmaceuticals that have been taking up space in their home."
The Carle RxExpress pharmacy in Danville co-sponsored the first-ever pharmaceutical collection in Vermilion County in March. Approximately 500 people dropped-off unused and unwanted medications, which were transported by the Illinois EPA and incinerated.
"With the success of the collection in Danville, we immediately thought to offer the same service throughout all of Champaign County," said Dana Klarr, business development coordinator for Carle RxExpress. "This type of collection offers an option for getting rid of old medications in an environmentally safe way."
The collections will take place at the following locations and times during the week-long collections:
Carle Foundation Hospital (Main Lobby)
602 W. University Ave., Urbana
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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South Clinic (RxExpress) - Urbana
605 W. University Ave., Urbana
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Old Farm Shops (corner of Kirby and Mattis)
1757 W. Kirby, Champaign (Drive-Through Available)
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Carle Clinic - Champaign on Mattis
1802 S. Mattis Ave., Champaign
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Carle Clinic - Mahomet
1001 Heather Drive, Mahomet (Drive-Through Available)
Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. - noon
RxExpress - Urbana
1208 N. Cunningham Ave., Urbana
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
For more information about this event, contact Dana Klarr, business development coordinator - RxExpress Pharmacy, at 217-326-4581 or dana.klarr@carle.com.
For residents who cannot attend this Prescription Drug Collection, the Illinois EPA has scheduled 10 Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events across the state, starting Saturday, April 12. A HHW collection schedule can also be found on the Agency's web page: http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/hazardous-waste/household-haz-waste/hhwc-schedule.html
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