Pharmaceutical collection grants ensure safe disposal of unused drugs

Agency: Environmental Quality

For More Information                                    Brad Wurfel, 517-373-7917, wurfelb@michigan.gov 

                                                                     Chad Rogers, 517-373-2838, rogersc1@michigan.gov 

The DEQ today announced $250,000 in grants available to help communities properly dispose of household drugs throughout Michigan. 

Most Michigan water treatment plants and septic systems are not equipped to remove pharmaceuticals from the waste water, so proper collection and disposal are important to prevent the release of these compounds to the surface and ground water.

These DEQ Community Pollution Prevention grants provide matching funds to local and tribal governments, health departments, municipalities, non-profits and regional planning agencies to aid in the development of P2 projects. The grants support local efforts to provide free household drug collection programs.

The local drug collection programs also help reduce prescription drug abuse, identified as a growing problem by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Requests for funding will be accepted from Feb. 1 through March 30. Organizations receiving grants are required to match total project costs by at least 25 percent using dollars, in-kind services, and/or third party contributions. Preference is given to projects that include community-based coalitions. Projects should be transferable and act as models to be shared with others across the state.

To learn more or download a funding application, go to

www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-oea-communityp2-rfp_348046_7.pdf 

or call the DEQ Environmental Assistance Center at 1‑800‑662-9278.

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