MWRD removes 440 pounds of medications from environment

During the sixth nationally organized prescription drug take back event held Saturday at three Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) wastewater treatment plants, police collected 440 pounds of unwanted medication from Cook County residents. 

At the O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) in Skokie, 251 pounds were collected. At the Stickney WRP in Cicero, 149 pounds were collected, and 40 pounds were collected at the Calumet WRP on the city’s south side.

“This is the most we have ever collected during these special events,” said MWRD Executive Director David St. Pierre. “It’s important that the public continue to pay attention to the unused or expired medications in their homes. Wastewater treatment facilities are not designed to remove pharmaceutical products if they are poured down a drain or flushed down a toilet.  Responsible disposable at collection events protects our waterways.”

The city of Chicago offers permanent prescription drop box locations at five Police Department Area Centers: 2452 W. Belmont Ave., 5555 W. Grand Ave., 3151 W. Harrison Street, 5101 S. Wentworth Ave., and 727 E. 111th Street.  Collections vary in other communities; please visit the MWRD website at www.mwrd.org/irj/go/km/docs/documents/MWRD/internet/Public%20Interest/pd... contact your city or village hall to learn more.

Our water environment…Take it personally.