No Drugs Down The Drain Week: Los Angeles Fights Pharmaceutical Pollution
by ERICA LIEPMANN, Causecast Associate Editor
You may have flushed some expired meds down the drain without even thinking. Heck, your mom may have even told you to. Turns out, pharmaceutical pollution is a huge issue for the nation and Californians especially. That’s why California Environmental Protection Agency officials and water companies alike are trying to raise awareness about pharmaceutical pollution with the No Drugs Down The Drain Week. This second annual holiday kicks off November 9 this year.
The state of California is home to over 36 million people and we don’t have enough water to go around. We’re stealing from the Colorado river and still constantly in danger of drought. So, perhaps contaminating the water we do have with prescription meds isn’t such a good idea? Those disposed of pills end up in our drinking water – looks like we might all be on some medications we didn’t know about? The pharmaceuticals have some pretty funky consequences for our fish too. It’s just no bueno all around.
What to do?
The message of this week is pretty simple: no flushing your unused pills away, dispose of them safely. Here’s the L.A. Department of Public Works’ tips for how to get rid of those pills the right way. And this isn’t just an L.A. thing – no matter where you live, don’t dump those extra meds down the drain!
Photo by Charles Williams, flickr.
- Posted by Causecast
Related causes: Environment
Related Articles
-
The World's First Sustainable Sushi Restaurant (VIDEO)
In the mood for sushi, but want a sustainable option? Learn about one restaurant that's made the ...
- 11.20.09
- |
- 01:30pm
-
Idealist Launches Global Network
This week, Idealist.org brought their global community to a whole new level when they launched a ...
- 11.20.09
- |
- 01:07pm
-
Gobble Gobble Give: Feeding L.A.'s Homeless For Thanksgiving
Each year, Gobble Gobble Give brings Thanksgiving meals to hundreds of homeless Angelenos. Find o...
- 11.20.09
- |
- 12:16pm
-
Yes Men Target Coca-Cola Company Over Bottled Water
These outrageous environmental activists posed as Coca-Cola employees in Boston to introduce a ne...
- 11.20.09
- |
- 10:52am
-
The Office Goes Green For NBC's Green Week
For the third annual "green week" on NBC, T.V. show The Office takes on the issue of recycling in...
- 11.19.09
- |
- 06:53pm
