Medication Take-Back Program

The Elwood Police Department has a prescription drug collection bin in its lobby for easy disposal of unwanted drugs. The goal is to allow Elwood residents a safe alternative to deliver all unused, unwanted, or expired medication to local law enforcement officials, who can in turn dispose of these controlled substances in a safe, secure, and non-hazardous manner.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports each year thousands of tons of pharmaceutical and personal care products enter the waste stream. Several United States Geological Survey studies have found that many pharmaceuticals are surviving water treatment facilities and making their way into drinking water.

The EPA has instructed people to stop discarding unwanted medications down the drain. Unused, expired and unwanted medication is a health and safety risk, as well as a potential threat to waterways and local landfills. Will County, in cooperation with the Illinois EPA operate the Medication Take-Back Program, which encourages people to locate a pharmaceutical take-back program for disposal of unwanted medications.

Many local police departments in Will County serve as a drop-off site for the Medication Take-Back Program. In an effort to provide more convenience for our citizens, the Elwood Police Department will now serve as a drop-off location with an installed MedReturn Drug Collection Unit in the lobby at Village Hall.

The Elwood Police Department has established procedures for the collection and safe disposal of unused prescription/over the counter medicines turned into the Elwood Police Department by the community, known as the Medication Take-Back Program.

The Elwood Police Evidence Unit will be responsible for the intake, storage, and disposal of unused medications. As a partner through an intergovernmental agreement, Will County shall maintain an agreement with a Hazardous Waste Disposal contractor and provide a secure storage area for consolidation of materials received by the Elwood Police Departments Medication Take-Back program.

For more information please visit willcountygreen.com or call the Elwood Police at 815-424-1090.