Trio of Giant-Carlisle Pharmacies to Hold Medication Collection, Disposal Drive

Giant Food Stores, LLC, in collaboration with the Cumberland County Recycling & Waste Authority, will hold a one-day medication collection and disposal drive Oct. 4. The aim of the event is to enable Cumberland County, Pa. residents to throw away unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medicines responsibly.

The three drop-off points will be the Camp Hill Giant at 3301 Trindle Road, the Carlisle Giant at 255 South Spring Garden Street and the Shippensburg Giant at 397 Baltimore Road.

"Drinking-water surveys are increasingly finding trace levels of medications in our streams, lakes, and rivers, due to improper disposal," explained Tom Imphong, executive director of the Cumberland County Recycling & Waste Authority. "We wanted to give the public an opportunity to dispose of unwanted medications in a safe, environmentally-friendly manner."

The organization has underwritten the costs related to the proper disposal of the medications, along with securing the financial support of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the participation of law enforcement.

A Cumberland County Recycling & Waste Authority representative, a licensed disposal contractor, and local law enforcement officials will be present on-site for the duration of the drive. Customers should keep the medication in its original container with original labels still attached. Personal information such as names and addresses should be crossed out, but information on the medication should be readable. No thermometers or medical waste will be accepted. All medications will be destroyed, and customers won't receive refunds.

"When disposing of medication in your own home, do not flush down the drain," advised Giant's v.p. for pharmacy, Leigh Shirley. "Improper drug disposal is an important environmental concern. In addition, having unwanted medications around the home presents a danger to children and pets that could accidentally ingest them. Now is the time to properly dispose of [the medications]."

Giant Food Stores, LLC operates stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia under the Giant Food Stores, Martin's Food Markets, and FoodSource banners.
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