Jordyn: Removing dangerous drugs from homes
Jordyn Schara was shocked "to see the insane amount of medication people have in their homes that have been lying around waiting to be abused or stolen."
Unused drugs create two huge problems: They are abused by teens trying to get high, who then can become sick or even die. Or they are flushed down the drain and creep into drinking water. "It means men are taking birth control [pills] and children are taking heart medications," she says. "It's definitely not a good thing."
But when the 14-year-old in Reedsburg, Wis., asked state officials what she could do to help, they told her she was too young.
That didn't stop Jordyn. She founded a Wisconsin branch of Prescription Pill Drug Disposal (p2d2program.org). She organized a drug drop-off day for her town, and recruited pharmacists and police officers to supervise the event.
The drug return day was "extremely successful," she says. "People lined up around the block to get in. That was just a really great feeling to know that people were willing to participate."
Hauling away and incinerating the drugs costs about $2 per pound.
"I had to get a lot of donations and grants to support the cost of this program," says Jordyn, who is now a 16-year-old high school sophomore. "I was the youngest person [at 14] to apply for and receive a state grant in Wisconsin" to help fund her project, she says.
The Save a Star Foundation (saveastar.org) in Highland Park, Ill., donated a prescription drug drop-off box, the size of a street-corner mailbox, that's been installed at the police station. Her project has now become an ongoing part of the community.
"Sometimes it's hard as a teenager. You think that people don't listen to you or don't pay attention to you," Jordyn says. "But, honestly, if you do a service project, people will start listening."
Her friends have been big supporters. One even wore a "Phil the Pill Bottle" costume to help publicize the drug drop-off event.
"It's tough at first," Jordyn concedes. But her family has helped, too. "My parents were very supportive and my brother was very supportive."
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Program to dispose of unused drugs
Hopedale Medical Complex recently announced a prescription drug disposal program it plans to start Jan. 3 as a way to fight prescription drug abuse by teens, and to keep the drugs from polluting local water supplies when they are flushed down the toilet.
According to Wendy Mobley, the head of the program, people can bring in their unneeded or expired prescription medications to the HMC pharmacy and the pharmacy will dispose of the drugs properly and safely for free.
“We’re taking them to Indianapolis to an energy plant that incinerates the drugs and turns it into energy to light peoples’ homes,” Mobley said. “We’re doing something environmentally friendly with it and getting it off the streets.”
Mobley said she got the idea for the program — which is called P2D2 — from pharmacies in other areas that started similar programs after the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency started passing laws against flushing pills because of the effect it has on the environment.
According to a fact sheet published by the IEPA, “trace amounts of pharmaceutical-related chemicals” have been found in drinking water and it is believed to have been caused by the flushing of pills, while medications thrown in the garbage can leach into the soil. The IEPA recommends incinerating the pills, according to certain standards.
The other major aspect of the HMC program is to help keep teens and young adults from getting at these drugs and experimenting with them.
“I think the biggest importance is we’re not only trying to be environmentally friendly we’re also trying to help save kids from getting into bad situations,” Mobley said. “A growing problem is these ‘Skittles parties’ where kids go to medicine cabinets and raid the drugs in there and put them into a big bowl ... and then they take them to see what happens.”
She said a nearby high school had a recent problem with their students dong this, and she believes it could be going on in Hopedale as well.
The program will not include narcotics — meaning the pharmacy cannot legally accept any Oxycontin, Vicadin, Darvocet, Ativan and Xanax. However, Mobley said HMC is working with local law enforcement to put a program in place for narcotics.
As of yet, she said it is best for someone with unused narcotics to take them to the local police station for proper disposal. She said the Delavan police station even has a drop box for narcotics.
According to Wendy Mobley, the head of the program, people can bring in their unneeded or expired prescription medications to the HMC pharmacy and the pharmacy will dispose of the drugs properly and safely for free.
“We’re taking them to Indianapolis to an energy plant that incinerates the drugs and turns it into energy to light peoples’ homes,” Mobley said. “We’re doing something environmentally friendly with it and getting it off the streets.”
Mobley said she got the idea for the program — which is called P2D2 — from pharmacies in other areas that started similar programs after the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency started passing laws against flushing pills because of the effect it has on the environment.
According to a fact sheet published by the IEPA, “trace amounts of pharmaceutical-related chemicals” have been found in drinking water and it is believed to have been caused by the flushing of pills, while medications thrown in the garbage can leach into the soil. The IEPA recommends incinerating the pills, according to certain standards.
The other major aspect of the HMC program is to help keep teens and young adults from getting at these drugs and experimenting with them.
“I think the biggest importance is we’re not only trying to be environmentally friendly we’re also trying to help save kids from getting into bad situations,” Mobley said. “A growing problem is these ‘Skittles parties’ where kids go to medicine cabinets and raid the drugs in there and put them into a big bowl ... and then they take them to see what happens.”
She said a nearby high school had a recent problem with their students dong this, and she believes it could be going on in Hopedale as well.
The program will not include narcotics — meaning the pharmacy cannot legally accept any Oxycontin, Vicadin, Darvocet, Ativan and Xanax. However, Mobley said HMC is working with local law enforcement to put a program in place for narcotics.
As of yet, she said it is best for someone with unused narcotics to take them to the local police station for proper disposal. She said the Delavan police station even has a drop box for narcotics.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Covanta Energy Extends Program to Safely and Securely Destroy Prescription Drugs Collected at Take-Back Events
Morristown, NJ – December 17, 2010—Based on evidence of pollution in waterways and drinking water, as well as an increase in pharmaceutical drug abuse, Covanta Energy Corporation developed the Prescription for Safety Program (Rx4Safety) to safely dispose of medications collected at community sponsored drug take-back programs, free of charge. The program was set to expire in 2010; however, based on the program’s success and encouragement by its partners and clients, Covanta has elected to extend the program through the end of 2011.
Since launching the program earlier this year, Covanta Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facilities have destroyed more than 30,000 pounds of unwanted medications from collections held by municipalities, community groups, and law enforcement agencies around the United States.
Take-back events, like the recent national Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) campaign and efforts by the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) provide a safe, confidential and proper way to dispose of unwanted medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, veterinary medications and nutritional supplements. Utilizing Covanta’s Rx4Safety program enables groups holding take-back events to ensure environmentally proper disposal. Covanta Energy’s EfW facilities provide safe, environmentally sound destruction that protects water resources and keeps unauthorized users safe from abuse.
When flushed down the drain, or disposed of in landfills, medications find their way into waterways and contaminate surface waters, having an adverse effect on our drinking water and the environment. A recent study conducted by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection shows that unwanted prescription drugs being tossed into landfills pose a threat to surface and groundwater supplies around the state. Test results of leachate at three Maine landfills showed concentrations of a wide range of pharmaceuticals. These drugs cannot be removed from water supplies at typical waste water treatment plants and the contaminated water can then have negative effects on aquatic organisms, fish, and other wildlife.
“Covanta was motivated to roll out the Rx4Safety program after we became aware of the impact pharmaceutical drugs were having on our water supplies and the increasing problem of abuse. We are thrilled to work with organizations that are leading the way on this issue such as The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) and the Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Program (P2D2) and are happy to provide final, safe, and secure disposal of the collected drugs,” said John G. Waffenschmidt, Covanta Energy Vice President, Environmental Science and Community Affairs. “Our Energy-from-Waste facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art combustion controls and air pollution control equipment to ensure the destruction of these drugs in an environmentally sound manner, one that protects the water we depend upon day in and day out and ensures that unwanted drugs are not available for abuse.”
The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) has taken a national leadership position in the need for increased product stewardship. In the case of pharmaceuticals, PSI has been leading the dialogue on best practices, including proper destruction. They have been instrumental in education efforts to raise awareness about the issue and collaborated with Covanta on the development of the free disposal program. Thanks to PSI’s efforts and those of countless other groups, a new federal law, signed on October 12 by President Barack Obama, will reduce costs and create more opportunities for collecting unused medicines from homes and long-term care facilities. The Safe and Secure Drug Disposal Act will give communities more options for providing secure take-back programs to prevent drug abuse, reduce the chances of accidental poisonings, and keep pharmaceutical drugs out of the environment.
“It’s extremely important that medications are disposed of properly to curtail abuse and the contamination of our environment,” said Scott Cassel, Executive Director of the Product Stewardship Institute. “Covanta’s offer to dispose of collected pharmaceuticals free of charge reduces costs for municipalities holding take-back programs. These collaborations are important steps in lowering the environmental and health risks associated with unwanted pharmaceuticals. Thermal destruction at Energy-from-Waste facilities, hazardous waste incinerators, or medical waste incinerators, provides for the ultimate destruction of these drugs.”
“The tireless effort of people like Paul Ritter of P2D2 has raised awareness and prompted communities to adopt proper disposal methods. Paul’s commitment to getting the word out about the right way to handle unwanted drugs is remarkable. Whenever I speak with him, I’m inspired to do all I can in helping to get his message out,” continued Waffenschmidt.
“It is an honor for the P2D2 Program to be able to work alongside so many great communities and organizations, such as Covanta Energy, to solve one of our nation’s greatest tragedies,” said Paul Ritter, founder of P2D2. “The misuse and abuse of drugs in America is at an all time high. Water, our most precious resource, needs to be protected from possible contamination resulting from improper pharmaceutical disposal. If it were not for dedicated leaders and Covanta, there would not be a viable disposal option for many communities. P2D2 is committed to help communities around the globe develop sustainable solutions and establish disposal programs of their own.”
In addition to properly managing the destruction of these unwanted drugs and protecting our clean water supply, collected drugs are used to create electricity. Covanta’s Energy-from-Waste facilities reduce greenhouse gases and produce clean, renewable energy from municipal solid waste.
Municipalities interested in participating in Covanta’s program must obtain appropriate regulatory approvals in order to ensure that such wastes are not classified as hazardous waste from a federal, state, or local perspective. Each program would be subject to a due diligence review by Covanta Energy. For more information, please email Rx4Safety@covantaenergy.com.
For more information on PSI visit, http://www.productstewardship.us. For P2D2 visit, www.p2d2program.org.
About Covanta
Covanta Energy is an internationally recognized owner and operator of large-scale Energy-from-Waste and renewable energy projects and a recipient of the Energy Innovator Award from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Covanta’s 44 Energy-from-Waste facilities provide communities with an environmentally sound solution to their solid waste disposal needs by using that municipal solid waste to generate clean, renewable energy. Annually, Covanta’s modern Energy-from-Waste facilities safely and securely convert approximately 20 million tons of waste into 9 million megawatt hours of clean, renewable electricity and create more than 9 billion pounds of steam sold to a variety of industries. For more information, visit www.covantaenergy.com.
Since launching the program earlier this year, Covanta Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facilities have destroyed more than 30,000 pounds of unwanted medications from collections held by municipalities, community groups, and law enforcement agencies around the United States.
Take-back events, like the recent national Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) campaign and efforts by the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) provide a safe, confidential and proper way to dispose of unwanted medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, veterinary medications and nutritional supplements. Utilizing Covanta’s Rx4Safety program enables groups holding take-back events to ensure environmentally proper disposal. Covanta Energy’s EfW facilities provide safe, environmentally sound destruction that protects water resources and keeps unauthorized users safe from abuse.
When flushed down the drain, or disposed of in landfills, medications find their way into waterways and contaminate surface waters, having an adverse effect on our drinking water and the environment. A recent study conducted by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection shows that unwanted prescription drugs being tossed into landfills pose a threat to surface and groundwater supplies around the state. Test results of leachate at three Maine landfills showed concentrations of a wide range of pharmaceuticals. These drugs cannot be removed from water supplies at typical waste water treatment plants and the contaminated water can then have negative effects on aquatic organisms, fish, and other wildlife.
“Covanta was motivated to roll out the Rx4Safety program after we became aware of the impact pharmaceutical drugs were having on our water supplies and the increasing problem of abuse. We are thrilled to work with organizations that are leading the way on this issue such as The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) and the Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Program (P2D2) and are happy to provide final, safe, and secure disposal of the collected drugs,” said John G. Waffenschmidt, Covanta Energy Vice President, Environmental Science and Community Affairs. “Our Energy-from-Waste facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art combustion controls and air pollution control equipment to ensure the destruction of these drugs in an environmentally sound manner, one that protects the water we depend upon day in and day out and ensures that unwanted drugs are not available for abuse.”
The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) has taken a national leadership position in the need for increased product stewardship. In the case of pharmaceuticals, PSI has been leading the dialogue on best practices, including proper destruction. They have been instrumental in education efforts to raise awareness about the issue and collaborated with Covanta on the development of the free disposal program. Thanks to PSI’s efforts and those of countless other groups, a new federal law, signed on October 12 by President Barack Obama, will reduce costs and create more opportunities for collecting unused medicines from homes and long-term care facilities. The Safe and Secure Drug Disposal Act will give communities more options for providing secure take-back programs to prevent drug abuse, reduce the chances of accidental poisonings, and keep pharmaceutical drugs out of the environment.
“It’s extremely important that medications are disposed of properly to curtail abuse and the contamination of our environment,” said Scott Cassel, Executive Director of the Product Stewardship Institute. “Covanta’s offer to dispose of collected pharmaceuticals free of charge reduces costs for municipalities holding take-back programs. These collaborations are important steps in lowering the environmental and health risks associated with unwanted pharmaceuticals. Thermal destruction at Energy-from-Waste facilities, hazardous waste incinerators, or medical waste incinerators, provides for the ultimate destruction of these drugs.”
“The tireless effort of people like Paul Ritter of P2D2 has raised awareness and prompted communities to adopt proper disposal methods. Paul’s commitment to getting the word out about the right way to handle unwanted drugs is remarkable. Whenever I speak with him, I’m inspired to do all I can in helping to get his message out,” continued Waffenschmidt.
“It is an honor for the P2D2 Program to be able to work alongside so many great communities and organizations, such as Covanta Energy, to solve one of our nation’s greatest tragedies,” said Paul Ritter, founder of P2D2. “The misuse and abuse of drugs in America is at an all time high. Water, our most precious resource, needs to be protected from possible contamination resulting from improper pharmaceutical disposal. If it were not for dedicated leaders and Covanta, there would not be a viable disposal option for many communities. P2D2 is committed to help communities around the globe develop sustainable solutions and establish disposal programs of their own.”
In addition to properly managing the destruction of these unwanted drugs and protecting our clean water supply, collected drugs are used to create electricity. Covanta’s Energy-from-Waste facilities reduce greenhouse gases and produce clean, renewable energy from municipal solid waste.
Municipalities interested in participating in Covanta’s program must obtain appropriate regulatory approvals in order to ensure that such wastes are not classified as hazardous waste from a federal, state, or local perspective. Each program would be subject to a due diligence review by Covanta Energy. For more information, please email Rx4Safety@covantaenergy.com.
For more information on PSI visit, http://www.productstewardship.us. For P2D2 visit, www.p2d2program.org.
About Covanta
Covanta Energy is an internationally recognized owner and operator of large-scale Energy-from-Waste and renewable energy projects and a recipient of the Energy Innovator Award from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Covanta’s 44 Energy-from-Waste facilities provide communities with an environmentally sound solution to their solid waste disposal needs by using that municipal solid waste to generate clean, renewable energy. Annually, Covanta’s modern Energy-from-Waste facilities safely and securely convert approximately 20 million tons of waste into 9 million megawatt hours of clean, renewable electricity and create more than 9 billion pounds of steam sold to a variety of industries. For more information, visit www.covantaenergy.com.
HMC Tackles Prescription Drug Disposal Issue
Hopedale Medical Complex has announced that it will begin a prescription pill and drug disposal (P2D2) program beginning January 3. The public may bring their unused or expired prescription and over the counter (OTC) medications to the HMC Pharmacy located at 107 Tremont Street in Hopedale. A Pharmacist will arrange for safe disposal of the drugs. The purpose of the program is two fold: first, it addresses the growing problem of prescription/OTC drug abuse by teens and young adults; second, it will reduce the disposal of dangerous drugs into our local water supply.
“We have seen some startling activity with prescription drug abuse in our area,” notes Wendy Mobley, a doctor of Pharmacy and head of the P2D2 program. “Kids are sharing drugs from their parents’ or grandparents’ cabinets. This practice is not only illegal, but it is extremely dangerous. By disposing of prescription medication properly, you can help to eliminate [...]
Original post by Debbie Adlof
“We have seen some startling activity with prescription drug abuse in our area,” notes Wendy Mobley, a doctor of Pharmacy and head of the P2D2 program. “Kids are sharing drugs from their parents’ or grandparents’ cabinets. This practice is not only illegal, but it is extremely dangerous. By disposing of prescription medication properly, you can help to eliminate [...]
Original post by Debbie Adlof
Hopedale Medical Complex Starts P2D2 Program
Story Updated: Dec 21, 2010 at 12:46 PM CST
Beginning the new year, Hopedale Medical Complex will begin a prescription pill and drug disposal program.
Starting January 3, the public may bring their unused or expired prescription and over the counter medications to the HMC Pharmacy located at 107 Tremont Street in Hopedale. A Pharmacist will arrange for safe disposal of the drugs.
News Now Digital Daily - subscribe to our daily newsletter
The purpose of the program is to address the growing problem of prescription/OTC drug abuse by teens and young adults and to reduce the disposal of dangerous drugs into our local water supply.
“We have seen some startling activity with prescription drug abuse in our area,” says Wendy Mobley, a doctor of Pharmacy. “Kids are sharing drugs from their parents’ or grandparents’ cabinets. By disposing of prescription medication properly, you can help to eliminate the drug problem and keep our water supply safe.”
HMC is working with local law enforcement on the disposal of narcotic drugs and hopes to have a program in place soon.
For more information on the program call Wendy Mobley at 309-449-4370 or visit www.HopedaleMC.com.
Beginning the new year, Hopedale Medical Complex will begin a prescription pill and drug disposal program.
Starting January 3, the public may bring their unused or expired prescription and over the counter medications to the HMC Pharmacy located at 107 Tremont Street in Hopedale. A Pharmacist will arrange for safe disposal of the drugs.
News Now Digital Daily - subscribe to our daily newsletter
The purpose of the program is to address the growing problem of prescription/OTC drug abuse by teens and young adults and to reduce the disposal of dangerous drugs into our local water supply.
“We have seen some startling activity with prescription drug abuse in our area,” says Wendy Mobley, a doctor of Pharmacy. “Kids are sharing drugs from their parents’ or grandparents’ cabinets. By disposing of prescription medication properly, you can help to eliminate the drug problem and keep our water supply safe.”
HMC is working with local law enforcement on the disposal of narcotic drugs and hopes to have a program in place soon.
For more information on the program call Wendy Mobley at 309-449-4370 or visit www.HopedaleMC.com.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Wisconsin P2D2 Program Director Jordyn Schara - Discus Scholarship Winner
Jordyn Schara
A sophomore at a high school in Wisconsin, Jordyn embodies the all-around high school student through her outstanding achievements in green, community service, and academics, and the Discus Awards is proud to recognize Jordyn for her success in and outside the classroom.
Jordyn is the winner of the November 2010 Discus Awards Scholarship, a scholarship for high school students presented to one select Discus Award winner every month of the academic year. From among thousands of Discus Award winners and accomplishments in 10 attribute categories, a panel of judges has chosen Jordyn as the recipient of the $2,000 college scholarship.
The Discus Awards, a high school recognition and scholarship program honoring students who excel in and out of the classroom, looks beyond grades, test scores, and win-loss records and recognizes students for their multi-dimensional talents and passions.
Jordyn is dedicated to her initiatives, activities, and school work, and the Discus Awards is pleased to shine the spotlight on her.
Read more....http://www.discusawards.com/2010-scholarship-jordyn-schara
A sophomore at a high school in Wisconsin, Jordyn embodies the all-around high school student through her outstanding achievements in green, community service, and academics, and the Discus Awards is proud to recognize Jordyn for her success in and outside the classroom.
Jordyn is the winner of the November 2010 Discus Awards Scholarship, a scholarship for high school students presented to one select Discus Award winner every month of the academic year. From among thousands of Discus Award winners and accomplishments in 10 attribute categories, a panel of judges has chosen Jordyn as the recipient of the $2,000 college scholarship.
The Discus Awards, a high school recognition and scholarship program honoring students who excel in and out of the classroom, looks beyond grades, test scores, and win-loss records and recognizes students for their multi-dimensional talents and passions.
Jordyn is dedicated to her initiatives, activities, and school work, and the Discus Awards is pleased to shine the spotlight on her.
Read more....http://www.discusawards.com/2010-scholarship-jordyn-schara
Schools know how to make 'green' work
PONTIAC -- Schools have an easy way to solve 'green' problems: Give them to the students. "Kids have a greater power than anyone else on the planet," said Pontiac High School teacher Paul Ritter, whose students implement green solutions as part of their coursework. "They don't know the answer 'no.'"
Pontiac is among a handful of Central Illinois schools that have been at the forefront of the "green" movement -- finding ecologically sound ways to preserve the environment through protecting the water, soil and air.
Pontiac senior Beth Guelde was part of a class that helped design a recycling project for Pontiac Correctional Center. "It gave the inmates another job, plus it saved money and time," she said, adding it doesn't take a large number of students to change the world. "All you need is someone telling you that you can do it."
The prison recycling program also has expanded into other institutions, Pontiac student Guelde said.
In Heyworth, the Key Club wrote a grant for recycling "years ago," said Superintendent Randy Merker. More recently, the elementary student council wanted to recycle paper so students raised money necessary for the project.
Eureka-Goodfield-Congerville School District started its work a few years ago with simple initiatives, such as
turning off lights, said Superintendent Randy Crump. Besides saving money, the district wanted to model behavior for its students.
High school Principal Richard Wherley said they did everything they could to set the tone for students and now "they are doing it." This year, students targeted homecoming, with a theme of "Go Green."
Instead of competing to build floats (which largely end up in a landfill), classes competed to raise money for charities. Then, students worked together to build three floats out of recycled materials.
At Deer Creek-Mackinaw High School, environmental science teacher Matt Thomann and 42 students collect and empty recycling containers in each classroom at the elementary, junior high and high schools.
The school pays Midland Davis in Pekin to recycle paper and Midland in turn provides the bins. Collections of aluminum cans help offset the cost of recycling the paper.
The work is counted as part of each student's grade. Thomann eventually would like to collect plastics and, long term, set up a community recycling site at the school.
At Pontiac, Ritter and his class pioneered a prescription drug disposal program that now is used in one-fifth of the United States. P2D2 provides designated drop-off locations for prescription and over-the-counter drugs and they are safely disposed of, rather than the common practice of flushing them down a drain, where they pollute water supplies.
"When you get them going in the right direction, they won't stop," Ritter said. Despite knowing that, he admits that he never "envisioned students across the nation could convince so many adults to properly dispose of leftover medications."
The changes also helped in other ways, as well. At Eureka, where plastic bottles are collected from the cafeteria and after sporting events, there isn't much left for the janitorial staff to clean up because students voluntarily pick up trash to make sure it is recycled. Wherley said the school now is looking at ways to reduce or reuse food waste.
The infectious energy of recycling at Pontiac led the school to obtain a grant for an auto-scrubber. "Instead of using harsh chemicals to clean the floor, we now have a machine that uses zero chemicals," Ritter said.
The kids' newest project is battery recycling, which is expanding throughout Livingston County.
"Kids educating communities is the greatest education in the world," Ritter said.
Kellie Freitag contributed to this story.
Pontiac is among a handful of Central Illinois schools that have been at the forefront of the "green" movement -- finding ecologically sound ways to preserve the environment through protecting the water, soil and air.
Pontiac senior Beth Guelde was part of a class that helped design a recycling project for Pontiac Correctional Center. "It gave the inmates another job, plus it saved money and time," she said, adding it doesn't take a large number of students to change the world. "All you need is someone telling you that you can do it."
The prison recycling program also has expanded into other institutions, Pontiac student Guelde said.
In Heyworth, the Key Club wrote a grant for recycling "years ago," said Superintendent Randy Merker. More recently, the elementary student council wanted to recycle paper so students raised money necessary for the project.
Eureka-Goodfield-Congerville School District started its work a few years ago with simple initiatives, such as
turning off lights, said Superintendent Randy Crump. Besides saving money, the district wanted to model behavior for its students.
High school Principal Richard Wherley said they did everything they could to set the tone for students and now "they are doing it." This year, students targeted homecoming, with a theme of "Go Green."
Instead of competing to build floats (which largely end up in a landfill), classes competed to raise money for charities. Then, students worked together to build three floats out of recycled materials.
At Deer Creek-Mackinaw High School, environmental science teacher Matt Thomann and 42 students collect and empty recycling containers in each classroom at the elementary, junior high and high schools.
The school pays Midland Davis in Pekin to recycle paper and Midland in turn provides the bins. Collections of aluminum cans help offset the cost of recycling the paper.
The work is counted as part of each student's grade. Thomann eventually would like to collect plastics and, long term, set up a community recycling site at the school.
At Pontiac, Ritter and his class pioneered a prescription drug disposal program that now is used in one-fifth of the United States. P2D2 provides designated drop-off locations for prescription and over-the-counter drugs and they are safely disposed of, rather than the common practice of flushing them down a drain, where they pollute water supplies.
"When you get them going in the right direction, they won't stop," Ritter said. Despite knowing that, he admits that he never "envisioned students across the nation could convince so many adults to properly dispose of leftover medications."
The changes also helped in other ways, as well. At Eureka, where plastic bottles are collected from the cafeteria and after sporting events, there isn't much left for the janitorial staff to clean up because students voluntarily pick up trash to make sure it is recycled. Wherley said the school now is looking at ways to reduce or reuse food waste.
The infectious energy of recycling at Pontiac led the school to obtain a grant for an auto-scrubber. "Instead of using harsh chemicals to clean the floor, we now have a machine that uses zero chemicals," Ritter said.
The kids' newest project is battery recycling, which is expanding throughout Livingston County.
"Kids educating communities is the greatest education in the world," Ritter said.
Kellie Freitag contributed to this story.
Tennessee P2D2 Program Eliminates Unwanted Pills
By Ian Skotte
Staff Writer
The Franklin County Prevention Coalition has been routinely notifying the public of prescription pill and drug disposal areas throughout the county. Last week, members of the coalition got together to destroy the unwanted medications.
According to Coordinator Tabatha Curtis, the Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Program is a collaborative effort between local police departments, the Franklin County Prevention Coalition, the Franklin County Health Council, Winchester Utilities and Duck River Membership Corporation. “The purpose is to educate the public about the harm done to the environment and community due to the current prescription and non-prescription drug disposal practices and to provide them with an alternative way of disposal that ensures the quality of our water and control of prescription drugs on our streets for future generations,” Curtis stated in a press release. plants and get into drinking water as well as making themselves readily available on the streets.
Curtis added that the program is important because many pharmaceuticals get past wastewater treatment
“This process of disposal will help to ensure safer drinking water and prevent prescription drug trafŠ cking in our streets for future generations,” Curtis said.
Staff Writer
The Franklin County Prevention Coalition has been routinely notifying the public of prescription pill and drug disposal areas throughout the county. Last week, members of the coalition got together to destroy the unwanted medications.
According to Coordinator Tabatha Curtis, the Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Program is a collaborative effort between local police departments, the Franklin County Prevention Coalition, the Franklin County Health Council, Winchester Utilities and Duck River Membership Corporation. “The purpose is to educate the public about the harm done to the environment and community due to the current prescription and non-prescription drug disposal practices and to provide them with an alternative way of disposal that ensures the quality of our water and control of prescription drugs on our streets for future generations,” Curtis stated in a press release. plants and get into drinking water as well as making themselves readily available on the streets.
Curtis added that the program is important because many pharmaceuticals get past wastewater treatment
“This process of disposal will help to ensure safer drinking water and prevent prescription drug trafŠ cking in our streets for future generations,” Curtis said.
The P2D2 Program welcomes its new state... Tennessee P2D2
Members of the Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Program are shown here with large amounts of unwanted medication that will no longer be on the streets or get into Franklin County's water. Pictured here from left to right are Tabatha Curtis, Chris Guess, George Dyer,Commissioner Scottie Riddle and Mike Bell.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)