Who: Indiana Department of Environmental Management and Marsh Pharmacies

What: Unwanted medicine collection

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 19, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, March 20

Where: Indiana Marsh Pharmacies

Hoosiers will have another opportunity to dispose of unwanted medications in a safe and environmentally-friendly
manner at 40 Indiana Marsh Pharmacies. Besides Marsh, sponsors include the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), the Indiana Poison Center, Rexam, Inmar CLS, Statewide Medical Services, IU Health, and Indiana Association for Home & Hospice Care, Inc.

Marsh Pharmacies will accept unwanted pharmaceuticals at these dates and times:

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 20

To locate a Marsh Pharmacy, visit http://www.marsh.net/pharmacy/pharmacy-locator.

To be accepted, all items must be fully identifiable and in their original containers. The name of the medication must be visible on the label; a black, permanent marker should be used to block out personal information, including name, address and account number; sharps should be sealed in a non-returnable, puncture-resistant rigid container (such as a laundry detergent bottle).

The specific types of pharmaceuticals that will be accepted include:
. Prescription medications;
. Over-the-counter medications;
. Vitamins and nutritional supplements;
. Veterinary medications; and,
. Sharps or needles in resealable hard, plastic containers.

The following items will not be accepted:
. Controlled substances;
. Hazardous, poisonous or toxic substances;
. Flammable liquids containing alcohol;
. Mixed medications or medications in alternate containers;
. Medical or household chemicals;
. Inhalers; and,
. Business waste.

IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly explained why the special collection is held. "Wastewater facilities are not designed to remove pharmaceutical products if they are poured down a drain," said Commissioner Easterly. "The chemicals will be discharged, untreated, into lakes or streams. This special collection opportunity gives Hoosiers the opportunity to properly dispose

Indiana Department of Environmental Management and Marsh Pharmacies

Unwanted medicine collection

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 19, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, March 20

Indiana Marsh Pharmacies

of expired or unwanted over-the-counter and prescription medications."

Throwing pharmaceuticals in the garbage also poses a hazard because pets and children can be poisoned as a result of accidental ingestion. In addition, patient information displayed on discarded containers increases the risk for identity theft.

IDEM first partnered with Marsh and other partners in the spring of 2008 to collect unwanted medicines. Since then, over 50,000 prescription bottles have been collected.

Additional information about pharmaceutical and household hazardous waste disposal can be found on IDEM's Recycling Web site at www.recycle.IN.gov/.

About IDEM
IDEM (www.idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.

About Marsh Supermarkets
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Marsh operates 97 Marsh Supermarkets and 4 O’Malia’s Food Markets in Indiana and Ohio. The largest pharmacy chain based in the State of Indiana Marsh has 40 Indiana pharmacy locations. Marsh has the distinction of being the first grocery store in the world to use electronic scanners to ring up purchases.

Media contact:
Allison Fore
Director, Media Relations
(317) 232-8500
afore@idem.IN.gov