(DAVENPORT, Iowa) —Operation Medicine Cabinet, a three-day event allowing residents the opportunity to safely dispose of medications, sharps, mercury thermometers and sensitive documents, generated 10,847 pounds of material.

This included approximately 1,029 pounds of pharmaceuticals, 537 pounds of sharps, 14 pounds of mercury thermometers and 9,211 pounds of documents for shredding.

The event, which was held September 18, 19 and 20 in Eldridge, Bettendorf and Davenport respectively, served 941 households. Operation Medicine Cabinet officials collected prescription and nonprescription medications, which was overseen by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office. In addition, Waste Commission of Scott County gave out free digital thermometers in exchange for those containing mercury and collected and provided sharps containers for needles, lancets and syringes at no charge. Document Destruction and Recycling Services provided safe and secure document shredding.

This event was held to educate residents on safe disposal of these items, especially medications. Studies have shown that flushing medications poses risks to the groundwater supply and environment. Residents who were unable to drop medications, mercury or sharps off at the event can make an appointment at one of Waste Commission of Scott County’s Household Hazardous Material Facilities in Buffalo or Davenport. These facilities provide free services to both Scott and Rock Island County residents. Call 563-381-1300 for more
information.

This event was sponsored by: Riverboat Development Authority, Waste Commission of Scott County, Document Destruction and Recycling Services, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Scott County Health Department, Scott County Sheriff’s Office and Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging. Location sponsors included: Medic EMS, City of Bettendorf and Waste Commission of Scott County.

This marked the third annual Operation Medicine Cabinet. In September of 2007, over 11,000 pounds of material were collected from over 1,100 households. This included 1,182 pounds of pharmaceuticals, 660 pounds of sharps, 39 pounds of mercury thermometers and 9,836 pounds of documents.