The Great Neck Water Pollution Control District recently hosted its most successful Shed the Meds event since the initiative was started four years ago. A steady stream of traffic drove through the contactless drive-thru site—amounting to 224 cars that collectively dropped off 543 pounds of unused or expired pharmaceuticals as well as 11 full commercial containers of medical sharps (EpiPens, needles, etc.), amounting for the biggest turnout in the event’s history. In fact, the District has now collected nearly one and a half tons of unused and unwanted pharmaceuticals since the program began in 2017. The District’s Shed the Meds event is also one of the only places where residents can safely dispose of medical sharps on Long Island, as most local police precincts, healthcare locations and other pharmaceutical take back day events do not accept these materials.
“Our Shed the Meds event is one of the most important programs we provide for our community, as it gives them a quick and simple opportunity to properly dispose of their expired and unused medications,” Great Neck Water Pollution Control District Chairman Steve Reiter, said. “It is incredible to see that even after four years of Shed the Meds, our community still comes out in record numbers every six months, proving that the people of the Great Neck Peninsula are as environmentally-conscious as any group of people on Long Island.”
The biannual event, hosted in partnership with Reach Out America, Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition, Nassau County Police, and the Key Club at Great Neck North High School, aims at protecting local water sources and raising awareness of the dangers of flushing pharmaceuticals down the toilet.
“The Great Neck community never fails to amaze us with their enthusiasm and support for this event year in and year out,” GNWPCD Commissioner Patty Katz added. “All of the work we do is in service to our neighbors, so it is always wonderful to see them come out in support of their environment. We are incredibly proud of our community and are looking forward to even more successful Shed the Meds events and other environmentally-focused initiatives to benefit residents for generations to come.”
Several of the area’s elected officials visited the event and showed their support for the GNWPCD, including NY State Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti, County Legislator Ellen Birnbaum and Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Veronica Lurvey, as well as Town Council candidate Peter Fishkind.
“Protecting our environment is one of our utmost priorities at the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District,” GNWPCD Commissioner Jerry Landsberg said. “By safely disposing of their unused pharmaceuticals, members of our community are helping to keep our single-source aquifer free of these potentially harmful materials. The continued support we receive from our neighbors and elected officials for our Shed the Meds event is astounding and we are excited to see them once again in the spring.”
For additional information and updates about the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District, visit the website at www.gnwpcd.net to sign up for email newsletters or call the office at 516-482-0238.
—Submitted by the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District
