Unused medications banned from curbside recycling - pharmacies offering solution
Jan. 3, 2008 –Residents of Metro Vancouver have an easy option for disposing their medications now that all prescription and over-the-counter drugs are banned from curbside garbage and recycling bins as of January 1st, 2008.
The public can take their expired and unused medications to their community pharmacy, where pharmacy customers can return a number of pharmacy products.
The new restrictions affect everyone in the Metro Vancouver area. Those who fail to comply with the new rules will be notified with a tag on the discarded garbage or asked to pay a fine. New inspectors will be monitoring the success of the program and will be enforcing the new banned and restricted materials rules.
Pharmacies throughout British Columbia have been offering a disposal program for over-the-counter and prescription medications for safe disposal of household medicines for the last few years. Under the medications return program a wide range of unused medicines, including prescription drugs, nonprescription and herbal products, and vitamins and mineral supplements, are accepted at most B.C. pharmacies. It’s wise to call ahead to your local pharmacy to find out if they have a recycling program in place, and to make sure the item in question is included in the return program.
“Pharmacies are part of an environmental initiative that takes health care one step further. Keeping our environment healthy is in everyone’s best interest,” says Marnie Mitchell, CEO of the BC Pharmacy Association. “I’m pleased that pharmacies throughout the province are available to offer this necessary service.”
To find a pharmacy near you that offers medications return go to: www.medicationsreturn.ca for a directory of participating B.C. pharmacies. For a list of pharmacies that accept needles and syringes, go to www.bcpharmacy.ca For further medication recycling information you can contact the Recycling Hotline of British Columbia, Metro Vancouver: 604-732-9253, outside Metro Vancouver: 1-800-667-4321.
Contact:
Susan Ogilvie, Director, Communications, BC Pharmacy Association, Direct: 604-269-2863, Toll: 1-800-663-2840, Cell: 778-896-3044