Disposal box located in Pekin Police Department lobby

Illinois American Water has partnered with Senator David Koehler, the Tazewell County Health Department and the Pekin Police Department to implement a pharmaceutical disposal program in Pekin. In addition to providing the pharmaceutical drop box, which will be installed at the Pekin Police Department on Thursday, November 5; Illinois American Water also donated $2,500 to the program.

Residents are encouraged to drop off their unwanted meds so they can be incinerated, which is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended approach for pharmaceutical disposal. Flushing medications down the toilet or the drain as well as throwing them in the trash are discouraged.

“By disposing of unwanted medications properly, we are able to keep them out of the hands of our children and our water supply,” said Anthony Hall, operations superintendent for the Pekin District. “We are protecting two of our most valuable resources.”

Illinois American Water has partnered with local pharmacies, police departments and government officials to support pharmaceutical disposal programs across the state. Community disposal programs supported by Illinois American Water are located in Champaign, Urbana, Pontiac and Pekin. Illinois American Water is currently working to create additional programs in Peoria and Streator.

“Our goal is to establish a greatly expanded network of secure pharmaceutical collection centers throughout the state,” said Hall.

Illinois American Water is also a member of Illinois EPA’s Medication Education Disposal Solution (MEDS) program, which brings together environmentalists, pharmacists, water utilities and healthcare providers on the subject of pharmaceutical disposal. The group works together to develop local pharmaceutical disposal programs and promote proper disposal practices.