FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Terry Maenza Pennsylvania American Water T: 610-670-7789 ext, 1009
M: 610-849-6484 terry.maenza@amwater.com
BERKS COUNTY SMASHES PREVIOUS PHARMACEUTICAL COLLECTION RECORD WYOMISSING, Pa. (May 23, 2012) - Pennsylvania American Water and the Berks County Solid Waste Authority reported today that a record-setting volume of pharmaceutical products was recently collected and destroyed, ensuring that they will never end up in drinking water sources. The free event on April 28, at the Exeter Township Municipal Building enabled Berks County residents to dispose of unwanted and expired prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
"This was the largest turnout by far for a pharmaceutical
collection event in Berks County since we started the program
in 2009," said Solid Waste Authority Executive Director Jane
Meeks. "Better yet, we more than doubled the amount of drugs
and medical products collected compared to our May 2011
event, when the previous record was set."
Approximately 930 Berks County residents drove through the
Exeter Township lot and dropped off 2,324 pounds of
pharmaceutical products, including controlled and
non-controlled substances and non- hazardous materials. The
May 2011 event attracted nearly 430 residents and collected
1,020 pounds of drugs and medical products.
This is the third time that Pennsylvania American Water
co-sponsored the event to prevent the contaminants from
entering local waterways and landfills, plus disposing of
unused medications in an environmentally safe manner keeps
them from falling into the wrong hands. All of the substances
collected have been incinerated.
"The community's overwhelming response and participation will
go a long way to help protect our sources of drinking water,"
said Terry Maenza, director of communications and external
affairs for Pennsylvania American Water. "The event also
helps us reinforce the message that unused or expired drugs
should not be flushed down the toilet where they can enter
our waterways."
Representatives from Pennsylvania American Water, Berks
County Solid Waste Authority, Berks County District
Attorney's office and Exeter Township Police, as well as
local pharmacists and licensed hazardous waste contractor
took part in the April 28 event. The Solid Waste Authority
coupled the pharmaceutical disposal with a drop-off for free
paper shredding.
Pennsylvania American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of
American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest water utility in
the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or
wastewater services to approximately 2.2 million people.
Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly
traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With
headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than
7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water,
wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15
million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of
Canada. More information can be found by visiting
www.amwater.com.
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