Giant to launch medication waste disposal program

CARLISLE, Pa. With studies showing widespread pharmaceutical contamination of drinking water supplies, a supermarket chain in Pennsylvania will give customers a way to safely dispose of their unused medications.

Giant Food Stores of Carlisle, Pa., announced a partnership Wednesday with the Cumberland County Recycling & Waste Authority to offer a medication collection and disposal drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 4 at three of its stores.

“Drinking water surveys are increasingly finding trace levels of medications in our streams, lakes and rivers due to improper disposal,” said Tom Imphong, executive director of the Cumberland County Recycling & Waste Authority. “We wanted to give the public an opportunity to dispose of unwanted medications in a safe, environmentally friendly manner.”

The drive will take place at Giant’s stores in Camp Hill, Carlisle and Shippensburg, Pa.