Don’t Flush or Pour Unwanted, Unused, or Expired Medications down the Drain
The Dutchess County Environmental Management Council, is proud to announce the establishment of a year-round household medication drop-off point in Dutchess County, at Tuminaro Pharmacy in Hopewell Junction, NY.
The program is an effort to protect NY’s waters, as improperly disposed pharmaceuticals enter our waterways from a variety of sources including flushing of unused medications. According to the NY Department of Environmental Conservation website, a nationwide study done in 1999 and 2000 by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) found low levels of drugs such as antibiotics, hormones, contraceptives and steroids in 80% of the rivers and streams tested.
EMC’s Take-Back Program at Tuminaro Pharmacy, Hopewell Junction
The Dutchess EMC’s pharmaceutical take-back program is Free and Open to the public during Tuminaro Pharmacy’s regular business hours. The pharmacy is located at 800 Rt. 82, Hopewell Junction, NY, 12533 (map). The program is available for residential consumers only for the take-back of non-controlled substances. For more information contact Tuminaro Pharmacy at 845-223-7858, or by email at papojude@yahoo.com.
- For an alphabetical list of controlled substances that Tuminaro Pharmacy cannot accept, please see the US Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency website.
- For more information and tips on safe disposal options for unused household prescriptions, click on the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC’s) website on this issue.
- Please check back with our website for information about future medical waste drop off days being planned by the Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency.
- Read the February 14, 2010 Poughkeepsie Journal EcoFocus Article, by Emma J. Rosi-Marshall (Cary Institute) “Our River on Drugs.”
The EMC welcomes participation from other pharmacies in Dutchess County in this program. Contact the EMC if you are interested in joining our efforts to get more pharmacy’s to take back unused medication.
