Clean Sweep

Clean Sweep: Environmental Resources

While DATCP provides funding to manage various unwanted substances, the materials themselves are regulated by other agencies. Listed below are some of the authorities for waste and unwanted prescription drugs.

Waste Management Program – Hazardous Waste, Dept. of Natural Resources
The DNR regulates all matters related to the on-site collection of wastes in Wisconsin, whether public or private.

Hazardous Waste Management Publications – Dept. of Natural Resources
Wide range of publications covering general information on hazardous waste, household and medical waste, potentially hazardous waste and regulatory guidance.

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

The DEA collected unwanted prescription drugs at sites nationwide during autumn of 2010. Read about their efforts and find links to contacts and drug handling laws.

The Safe & Secure Drug Disposal Act*

This will allow for additional take-back programs by amending the Controlled Substances Act. It will take affect after DEA develops rules to:

• Allow for take-back of controlled substances by authorized parties;
• Authorize long-term care facilities to dispose of their current or former patients’ controlled substances; and
• Consider public health and safety as well as cost and ease for community program implementation.

http://productstewardship.us/associations/6596/files/S3397_Final_Passed_House_and_Senate.pdf

DNR guidance about household pharmaceutical waste*

• DNR has issued guidance for law enforcement officials regarding pharmaceutical waste disposal, entitled "Household Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal - What Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officials Need to Know" (PUB WA1376)

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/publications/anewpub/WA1376.pdf

• DNR’s household pharmaceutical waste web page is both for households and for those who would collect pharmaceutical waste

http://www.dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/pharm/household.htm
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/pharm/pharm.htm

Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction (DPI) guidance for schools*

In May 2010, DPI posted guidance for school nurses, who are faced with disposing medications brought in for use by students during school. See the guidance here:
http://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/doc/snmeddisposal.doc

Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center, University of Wisconsin Extension
Not a regulatory agency as above; however, SHWEC staff can provide local assistance to Wisconsin residents. SHWEC’s mission is to enhance Wisconsin's environment and economy by providing quality education, information and technical assistance to promote the sustainable use of natural resources including industrial pollution prevention, industrial and community recycling, environmental management planning, and solid waste source reduction.

Earth 911
The mission of Earth 911 is to empower the public with community specific resources to improve their quality of life.

For more information on Wisconsin Clean Sweep, contact 608-224-4545 or send an email.

*Text provided by DNR’s Pharmaceutical Waste coordinator.