Fulton County’s First Pharmaceutical Collection Slated for August

August 14, a day to dispose of these safely

On Saturday, Aug. 14 the Fulton County Department of Solid Waste will present the first ever county-wide Pharmaceutical Drop-Off Day from 7 a.m.-noon.

The pharmaceutical collection is a cooperative effort between several local agencies, including the DSW, Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, Fulton County Public Health, and the Gloversville-Johnstown Joint Wastewater Treatment Facility. ASAP’s Promise, a division of the HFM Prevention Council, has also offered to distribute information on the program.

“Most people have heard that flushing medicines can harm the environment. This program gives Fulton County residents a way to dispose of old medicine in an environmentally responsible manner,” said Jeff Bouchard, Solid Waste Director.

The Pharmaceutical Drop-Off will be held in conjunction with the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day at the Department of Solid Waste on Mud Road, in the town of Johnstown. A member of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department will be on-site to collect all pharmaceuticals, which will be disposed of according to state Department of Environmental Conservation and state Department of Health requirements.

Outdated or unused medications that can be disposed of include: prescription and over-the counter medications; controlled substances; vitamins; inhalers; medication samples; medications for pets; and medicated ointments/lotions (prescription and over-the-counter). Residents are asked to keep medications in their original containers (although names and personal information may be crossed off). No appointment is needed, and there is no cost.

The Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day is also scheduled on Saturday, Aug. 14 from 7 a.m. to noon. Bad latex paint, oil paint and stains, varnishes, auto, gardening, and home repair products and household chemicals can all be dropped off, at no cost. Also accepted at the HHW event are mercury-containing devices, such as thermometers and thermostats. This event is for residents only, (no businesses). All participants must pre-register by calling 736-5504.

Two other programs held at the Solid Waste Department include the Latex Paint Exchange, which runs every Saturday morning during the summer, and the permanent electronics and fluorescent bulb drop-off. Both programs are for Fulton County residents only. There is no cost and no appointment is needed.

The Paint Exchange runs from 7:15-11:30 a.m. from June 5 until Aug. 28, 2010. Residents can drop off good, re-useable latex paint; or take up to five gallons a week.

At the Electronics/Fluorescent Bulb Drop-Off, residents can dispose of computers and monitors, printers, televisions, fax machines, stereos, VCR/DVD players, cell phones and other electronics. Fluorescent light bulbs, both tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), are also included in the program, six days a week (7:15 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays and 7:15-11:30 a.m. Saturday).

Call the Recycling Info-Line at 736-5504 for more information or directions to the Mud Road Facility.