4. Model Materials for Public Outreach and Education

In order to decrease the environmental and health risks posed by disposal of medicines, public education materials can be useful to raise awareness and promote action. These materials must present the issue in clear language geared toward the average consumer and propose alternative disposal methods that are both safe and convenient. Since senior citizens make up a large proportion of the target audience, it may be advisable to consider large-print brochures.

The following documents are examples of outreach materials that have been developed by local, state, and national programs regarding medicine disposal. Similar informational materials could be distributed at collection events, pharmacies, conferences, etc.  You can use and adapt any of the materials here as models for your own outreach campaign.  All are presented here in PDF format and in some cases other formats may be available from the original authors.

Because there is not yet a definitive national guidance on this emerging issue, various localities are dealing with this issue in different ways. Therefore, some of these documents may contradict one another or may not be applicable in your area. They are presented here as samples of the work that has been done, and do not necessarily represent the trajectory this issue will follow in the future.

Information from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (print back to back for a trifold brochure)

Description of a drop-off program at a hospital in Ohio (print 3 to a page, back to back, for a trifold brochure)

California's postcard alerting citizens to the issue (English and Spanish versions)

Indiana-Illinois Sea Grant's informational brochure (print back to back for a trifold brochure)

Kendall County in Illinois adapted this brochure (tri-fold) to include information about the Kendall County medicine collection program.

Radio spot promoting medicine collection at Sangamon County's HHW collection event (MP3 audio file).

Promotional flyer for a Wabash County, Indiana collection program.  This flyer was sent to AARP members.  Wabash county also issued a proclamation establishing "Eliminate Expired Drugs Environmentally" week to promote its collection program.

Information from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Disposal guidelines from Florida's Department of Environmental Protection

Posters describing a collection program run by the Earth Keeper organization in Michigan

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