FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 3, 2015

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us 

FREE MEDICINE COLLECTION TO BE HELD AT SAM'S CLUB

~Properly disposing of unused medications helps protect the environment~

PANAMA CITY– The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Waste Management is hosting a free medicine collection event, "Operation Medicine Cabinet," at Sam's Club on Saturday, Feb. 14.

The collection event will involve the proper disposal of unused or expired prescriptions or over-the-counter medications from individual Panama City and Bay County residents to help prevent misuse and protect the environment and water supplies. When medications are not properly disposed of they can cause contamination to Florida’s water.  

Event sponsors include DEP, the Southern Waste Information eXchange (SWIX), Sam’s Club, Florida State University Center for Biomedical and Toxicological Research (CBTR) and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.

Residents do not have to hold a Sam's Club membership to participate. No questions will be asked at the drop-off site in an effort to encourage participation. 

WHAT:     Operation Medicine Cabinet

WHEN:    Saturday, Feb. 14
                11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

WHERE:  Sam's Club
                1707 W 23rd St. 
                Panama City, FL 32405

For more information about the medicine collection event, contact Ray Moreau at SWIX at 850-386-6280 or email ray@swix.ws.

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention, and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. To view the department’s website log on to www.dep.state.fl.us. 

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/ee5702