Great Neck Water Pollution Control District offering free pharmaceutical disposal kits

Joe Nikic

Great Neck Water Pollution Control District officials announced Monday that  they are now offering free pharmaceutical disposal kits to district residents in an effort to further prevent water pollution.

“We are very happy to announce the installation of this new service for our taxpayers,” district Superintendent Christopher Murphy said. “Great Neck residents rely solely on groundwater for their drinking water supply. By offering an easy solution to, and spreading awareness of, the harmful effects of flushing pharmaceuticals, we hope to combat this issue.”  

Long Island’s water filtration facilities do not filter out pharmaceutical waste, thus increasing groundwater infiltration, according to a press release from the district.

The disposal kits offer district residents a safer and healthier alternative to flushing unused medication down the toilet, district officials said.

“Providing pharmaceutical disposal kits for free is part of the commissioners’ ongoing effort to promote water safety and environmental health,” district Commissioner Deena Lesser said. “Knowing how to properly dispose of unused pharmaceuticals is an essential part of protecting our environment.”

Pharmaceutical disposal kits should not be used to dispose of Schedule I controlled substances, needles, syringes, lancets, injection pens, or chemotherapy waste, according to district officials.

The DEA’s website defines Schedule I controlled substances as drugs with no current medical use, including heroin, LSD, ecstasy, marijuana and peyote.

Free disposal kits are available for pickup at the district’s headquarters at 236 East Shore Road.

The Great Neck Water Pollution Control District serves the villages of Great Neck, Great Neck Plaza, Kensington, Thomaston and Saddle Rock as well as parts of Manhasset.

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