The purpose of 415 ILCS 5/22.55, Household Waste Drop-off Points, is to improve the collection of waste from households by diverting certain wastes from the general household waste stream. The act provides for collection centers that can be located at commercial establishments, as well as allowing for the collection of waste in one-day collection events. Both types of collection are discussed in this post.

The first major section of the act allows retail establishments to collect certain types of household wastes from their customers. A household waste drop-off point is defined as “the portion of a site or facility used solely for the receipt and temporary storage of household waste.” 415 ILCS 5/22.55(b). A drop-off point is limited to accepting “pharmaceutical products, personal care products, batteries other than lead-acid batteries, paints automotive fluids, compact fluorescent lightbulbs, mercury thermometers, and mercury thermostats.” 415 ILCS 5/22.55(c)(1). However, the types of waste collected must be the same as those sold, distributed or dispensed by the facility. 415 ILCS 5/22.55(c)(2). By way of example, (more…)

On August 4, 2009, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the Illinois Safe Pharmaceutical Disposal Act (the Act). The Act became effective on January 1, 2010 and is codified at 21 ILCS 150/ et seq. The act prohibits any healthcare institution from disposing of any unused medication into the public wastewater collection system or sewage system. 210 ILCS 150/10(a). All medical facilities are required to update their protocols for the disposal of unused medication. 210 ILCS 150/15.

Under the Act, “unused medications” is defined as “any unopened, expired, or excess medication that has been dispensed for patient or resident care and that is in a solid form.” 210 ILCS 150/10. These medications can be pills, tablets, capsules, and caplets. Id. Medication that is in fluid form, such as intravenous fluids, syringes or transdermal patches are not covered by the ban. Id. (more…)