The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and National Guard delivered over 18,000 pounds of pharmaceutical waste to Covanta Essex, where they were safely destroyed – preventing harm to both the community and the environment. The drugs were collected as a part of the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
“It’s so very important for people to get rid of the medications that are sitting in the house,” said Special Agent Timothy McMahon of the DEA’s New Jersey Division.
McMahon and several others from the DEA were on hand at Covanta Essex to help oversee and confirm destruction of the drugs. Waste from prescription drugs contribute to contaminated waterways when disposed of improperly in the home or in a landfill, as well as directly lead to drug overdoses through unintended use.
Destruction at a Covanta facility or any other Waste-to-Energy plant is the most sustainable option for disposing of unwanted or unused medications, as they ensure safety for residents and the environment.