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Resource Recovery
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Unused Medications
Where Can I Dispose?
This is a familiar and popular question that is often asked by Grand Traverse County residents.
Increasing amounts of prescription drugs are being detected in U.S rivers, waterways, and ground water. Drugs like antidepressants, cholesterol reducers, and antibiotics are being detected in drinking water supplies. The risk to humans and animals of long term exposure to these contaminants in drinking water is unknown.
In addition, many children are the victims of accidental poisonings each year due to medications in the home. The following reports were made to Michigan's Poison Control Center for accidental ingestion of medications in children under 5 years old from January-June 2008:
Ibuprofen - 877 reports
Pediatric Multivitamins - 501 reports
Antihistamines - 474 reports
Antibiotics - 463 reports
Calcium Supplements - 333 reports
Don't put medications down the toilet or sink! Whether you are on a septic system or municipal sewer, traces of flushed chemicals can reach the environment. In order to protect our children and the enviroment, we must ensure that medications are properly handled, stored and disposed!
To learn where you can Take Back unused medications for proper disposal visit:
Take It Back, Health > Medications.
Note: In compliance with the Contolled Substance Act (CSA), enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration, this program Does Not Accept any scheduled drugs.
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New Milestone Recycling Program
Fourteen recycling containers have been placed within the 100 & 200 block of E. Front. St., downtown Traverse City.
According to Bob Osterhout, Grand Traverse County Resource Recovery Manager and Brian Crough (Community Development Director) both departments worked well in coordinating this milestone achievement. Staff from both departments will be monitoring the success of the downtown recycling pilot program for possible future expansion.
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RecycleSmart Introduces Reference Guide, Read more.........
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Fluorescent Light Bulbs & CFL's (Compact Fluorescent Light's)
According to the EPA:
Fluorescent light bulbs contain some elemental mercury, like the mercury that is found in an older fever thermometer. The mercury can be in vapor, liquid or solid forms. Mercury is a necessary component to the operation of most energy-efficient lighting. Light bulbs that contain mercury use 75% less energy than regular light bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Fluorescent light bulbs (including compact fluorescent light bulbs) and high intensity discharge (HID) light bulbs are the two most common types of light bulbs that contain mercury. Take It Back (recycling options)
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and other fluorescent light bulbs contain small amounts of mercury. For example, an average CFL contains 5 milligrams or about 1/100th of the amount of mercury found in a mercury fever thermometer. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury. It would take 100 CFLs to equal that amount.
No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use; exposure is possible only when a bulb has been broken. Learn about how to clean up broken bulbs by visiting EPA's Mercury Web site.
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"Take It Back"
The "Take It Back" program provides information where consumers can return unwanted products to local providers/businesses for reuse, recycling or responsible disposal. The program is growing on a&nbspweekly basis.
This is another program developed by the Grand Traverse County Resource Recovery Department, in order to reach the Grand Traverse County diversion goal of 42% by the year 2012. For more information please view the "Take It Back" link. The information is continuously updated with the most current data.
Can you help?
If you know of a business location that will accept product according to our registration requirements, please let us know.
With your help in identifying "Take It Back" opportunities, together we will build this program as a leading example of what can be accomplished and contributed by the Grand Traverse County community.
Take It Back Provider/Business Registration Form
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RecycleSmart e-Newsletter
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Published on a monthly basis, the RecycleSmart e-Newsletter will keep you informed on the most current
Grand Traverse County recycling opportunities and issues.
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