SUMMIT COUNTY — To promote pharmaceutical-free drinking water in Summit County, a voluntary Take-Back Program is collecting unwanted medicines at local City Markets. The program kicked off in early December, and it's placed “take-back” bins at both Dillon and Breckenridge grocery stores.

“No one should flush prescriptions and other unknowns down the toilet,” said Lane Wyatt, the administrator for the Summit Water Quality Committee. “Unquestionably, it's being detected in the environment.”

The Take-Back Program was launched in response to pharmaceuticals being part of an emerging group of chemicals — including medicines and personal care products like lotions, shampoos, soaps and cosmetics — that scientists are studying in water around the country. It's thought that unused and unwanted prescription drugs — including contraceptives, antibiotics, antidepressants and common painkillers — may already be having an impact on aquatic ecosystems by disrupting endocrine systems in fish.

“As a topic, social pollution — how our lifestyles are affecting the environment — is something that people are getting concerned about,” Wyatt said. “(The program's purpose is) to get a better understanding of the issue, and how personal habits affect the environment.”

Where are the bins?

Though it's unknown how much unwanted medicine has been collected in the county since December 2009, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) project manager Jean MacKenzie said take-back boxes in Summit County are likely nearing capacity.

They haven't been emptied yet because they aren't full, she said. A bin can hold up to 100 pounds of medicine.

“We purchased bigger boxes for Summit County so the hazardous waste transporter doesn't have to come as much,” MacKenzie said. “I'm not sure of the exact amount in there.”

According to High Country Conservation Center staffer Jenny Stein, the pharmaceutical bins at local City Market pharmacies can be hard to spot.

“People should ask a pharmacist if they can't find them,” Stein said.

The Take-Back Program is made possible by a partnership between the EPA, the Summit Water Quality Committee and High Country Conservation Center.

MacKenzie said the Summit Water Quality Committee is paying for two years of waste collection, the EPA donated the collection boxes, and High Country Conservation Center is handling all educational aspects of the program. Summit County is the only mountain town involved in the program — other areas on the Front Range are participating, too.

How to dispose of narcotics

Take-back bins cannot accept narcotics, controlled substances, needles or medications from clinics, hospitals or nursing homes. A specialized disposal company, Curbside, Inc., will collect, shred and incinerate the medications in a licensed facility.

St. Anthony Summit Medical Center however is doing a narcotics and pharmaceuticals collection at the Rotary 9 Health Fair set for April 3 at Summit High School.

“We can only take controlled substances when the sheriff is present,” said pharmacy director Amy Hurwitch. “Bring medications in its original container and remove personal information.”

For more information about the Rotary 9 Health Fair narcotics collection, call Hurwitch at (970) 668-6997. To learn about the local pharmaceutical take-back program, call the High Country Conservation Center at (970) 668-5703.

Caitlin Row can be reached at (970) 668-4633 or at crow@summitdaily.com.