Recent Green Weeks:
October 10:
Repair Instead of Replacing
October 3:
Program Your Thermostat
September 26:
Dispose of Prescription Drugs Safely
September 19:
Give Carpooling a Try
September 12:
Set the Water Heater to 120 Degrees
September 5:
Cook More Efficiently
August 29:
Use Cold Water for Laundry
August 22:
Find New Uses for Old Phones
August 8:
"Bee" Kind to Pollinators: Limit or Avoid Pesticide Use
August 1:
Reduce Waste: End Junk Mail!
July 25:
Encourage Pollination: Help Bees!
July 18:
Use Less Oil: Walk or Bike at Least Once this Week Instead of Driving
July 11:
Water Lawns and Outdoor Plants in the Morning or Evening Only
July 4:
Practice Safe Souvenir Buying
June 20:
Reuse Paper Scraps
June 13:
Safely Dispose of Hazardous Wastes
June 6:
Give New Life to Old Stuff
May 30:
Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaners
May 23:
Find Ways to Consume Less
May 16:
Reuse your food scraps and yard waste: make compost!
May 9:
Make Sure Your Seafood's Sustainable
May 2:
Use a Low Flow Showerhead
April 25:
Reduce Weight in your Vehicle
April 18:
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
April 11:
Switch to Fluorescent Bulbs
April 4:
Buy in Bulk
March 28:
Unplug Your Appliances When They're Not in Use!
March 21:
Turn Off Your Engine Instead of Idling Your Car
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Dispose of Prescription Drugs Safely
What to do:
Last Saturday marked the Drug Enforcement Administration's first Take Back Day. The DEA arranged for sites nationwide to collect unused prescription drugs. Even though Take Back Day is over, there are still ways to dispose of prescriptions safely. Check with your local pharmacy to see if they are able to collect and destroy old prescriptions. Some household hazardous waste collection sites also accept prescriptions. Also, stay tuned for other take back events.
Why it Helps the Earth:
When flushed down the toilet, poured into the sink, or even just thrown in the trash, many prescription drugs leach into the water supply. Trace amounts of drugs are showing up in more and more bodies of water and water supplies. The long-term effect of this contamination on the environment and on human health is yet to be determined, but is an increasing source of concern.
What the Research Says:
According to a 2002 U.S. Geological Survey Study, a high percentage of streams studied tested positive for chemicals from prescription drugs. In 2008, the Associated Press published an investigative report on multiple instances of drug traces in drinking water supplies: Study Finds Traces of Drugs in Drinking Water in 24 Major U.S. Regions. A more recent study has shown both prescription and illegal drugs in European water supplies: NATGEO News Watch, More Drugs in Drinking Water. These are only a few examples of studies relating to this issue. A quick internet search will yield information on dozens more.
Why it Helps You:
In addition to helping keep the public water supply clean, safely disposing of prescription drugs prevents accidental poisoning, overdose, or dependence.
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Last Revision: September 26, 2010