Cobb To Host Safe Medication Disposal Events Saturday

COBB COUNTY, GA — While it may seem simple to get rid of expired or unneeded medications in the trash or by flushing them down the toilet, these methods can actually be harmful to the environment, according to the Keep Cobb Beautiful nonprofit.

Medications flushed down the toilet may contaminate lakes, streams and groundwater, causing harm to humans, wildlife and vegetation. Additionally, medications thrown in the trash can cause poisoning by accidental ingestion by young children, pets and even wildlife.

That's why KCB is hosting two free safe medication disposal events Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., one in Kennesaw and one in Smyrna. Here are the locations:

• Police Precinct One, 2380 Cobb Parkway NW, Kennesaw
• C. Freeman Poole Senior Center, 4025 S. Hurt Road NW, Smyrna

Staff and law enforcement personnel will be at each location during the designated hours to collect medications. The collected meds will be properly disposed in compliance with federal law, according to a news release.

Medicines do not have to be removed from their containers and labels do not have to be removed. Everything that's collected will be immediately sealed in boxes and destroyed.

Accepted items include:

• prescription medications;
• over-the-counter meds in liquid and pill form;
• ointments;
• patches;
• creams;
• vials;
• and pet medicines.

Items not accepted include:

• needles;
• sharps of any type;
• EpiPen;
• durable medical equipment (CPAP, nebulizers, etc.);
• illegal drugs;
• aerosol cans;
• biohazardous materials (anything containing bodily fluid or blood);
• mercury thermometers;
• personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreens, etc.);
• and household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas, etc.).

Nothing will be accepted at these addresses or by any Cobb County staff before or after these events.

KCB staff is also hosting other spring cleaning events in the coming weeks, including:

• May 1: Paper shredding
• May 22: Textiles recycling

For more information, visit Keep Cobb Beautiful's website.

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