Nov. 8, 2007
For immediate release
1. Project to safely dispose of pharmaceuticals approved
2. Watershed quality planning task force to meet Nov. 15
3. Midwest radioactive waste commission meeting on Nov. 15
PHARMACEUTICAL COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL PILOT PROJECT CONTRACT APPROVED BY EPC
MEDIA CONTACT: Tom Anderson at (515) 281-8623.
DES MOINES – A contract to properly collect and dispose of pharmaceutical waste was approved by the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) Nov. 7.
The project will demonstrate how to properly manage and dispose of unused, excess, old or seized pharmaceuticals without sending them to a landfill or wastewater treatment facility. The collected drugs will be sent out of state to be incinerated.
“We’re very excited about this contract because both over-the-counter and prescription drugs, including controlled substances, are being detected in our waterways and wastewater treatment plants can not remove these toxins from the water,” said Tom Anderson, DNR environmental specialist.
“We are finding increasing occurrences of hormones, steroids, anti-depressants, antibiotics and other compounds in our waters. Many waste water treatment plants are unable to filter these compounds before discharging to a stream. Several studies are showing negative impacts on fish and other aquatic life,” said Anderson
Citizens in 15 counties served by Metro Waste Authority’s Regional Collection Center will be able to safely dispose of their unneeded pharmaceuticals. Metro Waste Authority will seek partnerships with businesses such as pharmacies to serve as collection sites.
This program will serve residents, assisted living facilities, hospice, long-term nursing care facilities and other entities without access to pharmaceutical disposal sites.
The one-year contract is limited to $225,000 and will be funded by the DNR’s Solid Waste Alternatives Program (SWAP). “Without the SWAP program, large solid waste management and landfill diversion projects like the pharmaceutical pilot project would not be possible,” said Anderson.
Pharmaceutical collection events have been held in Iowa. Metro Waste Authority conducted a one-day event this past spring and the Waste Commission of Scott County held a three-day event in both 2006 and 2007. Because this pilot project will include controlled substances, Metro Waste Authority will be working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency to develop a process authorizing possession of these controlled materials.
More information about the pilot program can be found on the DNR Web site under Commissions and Boards at www.iowadnr.gov.
Writer: Kati Bainter
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WATERSHED QUALITY PLANNING TASK FORCE TO MEET
NOV. 15; MEETING OPEN TO PUBLIC
MEDIA CONTACT: Bill Ehm at (515) 281-4701.
DES MOINES — The Watershed Quality Planning Task Force has set its next meeting for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15 at the Metro Waste Authority, 300 E. Locust St., #100, in Des Moines.
The Task Force will review its draft report and subsequent to any amendments, will consider approving the draft report, which will be sent to the Legislature.
The Iowa Legislature called for creation of the committee and is asking the committee to develop a report containing recommendations on the following issues:
• Improving water quality
• Creating economic incentives for environmental compliance
• Facilitating implementation efforts
• Developing quantifiable protocols and procedures
• Providing greater flexibility through community-based, non-regulatory, performance-driven watershed management planning.
Additional information is available on the DNR Web site at www.iowadnr.gov/water/taskforce/.
The committee meeting is open to the public.
Writer: Jessie Brown
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MIDWEST RADIOACTIVE WASTE COMMISSION MEETING ON
NOV. 15
MEDIA CONTACT: Liz Christiansen at (515) 281-3388 or by e-mail at
DES MOINES – The Midwest Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact
Commission will hold a meeting by telephone conference call from 1:00 p.m. to
2:00 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15.
The public can attend the meeting in Conference Room 4E of the Wallace State Office Building, located at 502 E. 9th Street in Des Moines.
The meeting agenda includes a convening an executive session to consider legal strategy.
Iowa DNR Deputy Director Liz Christiansen is a commissioner for the organization.
Other states represented include Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Writer: Jessie Brown
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