Protocol
Yellow Jug Old Drugs®
For the states of Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana
Collection of Unused/Unwanted Drug Waste
Coordinated by Great Lakes Clean Water Organization
A Non-Profit, Tax Exempt 501(c)3 Corporation ID #26-4126187
Michigan Board of Pharmacy License # 5306004272
DEA Reverse Distributor License# Pending
1. Pharmacies must register and complete agreement with Great Lakes Clean Water (GLCW)
for each participating site. Agreement must be signed by authorized pharmacy representative.
When Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations allow pharmacies to collect controlled
substances, pharmacies that choose to do so, must provide GLCW proof that DEA has
approved that site as a DEA Registered Collector.
2. Each Jug/Inner Liner used to collect drug waste is marked having capacity of 2.5 gal. Each
Jug has in individual ID scan # that is recorded and updated when collected and destroyed.
When DEA regulations are finalized to allow registered pharmacies to collect controlled
substances, pharmacies that choose to collect controlled substances will also be provided a
lockable, secure container to hold jugs/inner liner that needs to be mounted securely to
counter or wall. When Jug is filled and removed from outside container, two pharmacy staff
must witness and record date, ID # of Jug(s) and location of stored jug(s).
3. Customers may bring in unused/unwanted/expired drugs to participating pharmacies.
Pharmacies will accept only items authorized to accept per the Accepted Not Accepted List.
Household drugs only. No medical waste, sharps or drugs from health facilities. No
hazardous materials.(see list of accepted/not accepted items )
4. Pharmacy will prominently display list of Accepted/Not Accepted items. If pharmacy is
registered to accept controlled substances Accepted/Not Accepted List will be displayed on
lockable container. Pharmacist or Pharmacy Tech. will monitor as to what items can or
cannot be accepted. Items not accepted will be kept by customer for proper disposal.
5. Customers will bring unused/unwanted drugs to Pharmacy in original container when
possible. Customers should remove personal information. Drugs should be removed from
original containers. Vials and packaging should be returned to customer. Customers are
encouraged to recycle empty vials and other packaging materials.
6. Customers will receive Yellow Jug Old Drugs Bag Insert with stamp or label with Pharmacy
Name. Many Pharmacies also provide customers a coupon to encourage them to shop at their
location.
7. 2.5 gal Yellow Jug(s)will be picked at Pharmacy on a set schedule at minimum every six
months 3 months in Indiana. Pick up will be provided by a registered/approved employee of
Great Lakes Clean Water (see requirements for Drug Disposal Tech.)
8. Jug(s)will be weighed and scanned at pharmacy. Jugs will be placed in mobile container for
removal. Replacement 2.5 gal Jug(s) scanned will be left with pharmacy. Tech will record
two pharmacy employees witnessing replacement.
9. The Yellow Jug Old Drugs containers and contents are then transported to a Waste-to-Energy
Facility that meet all requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the
State where pharmacy is located for secure and assured destruction. High Temperature
facilities are recommended by the World Health Organization, the EPA and state regulatory
agencies as the most thorough and environmentally responsible method of destroying
unused/unwanted Drugs. Jugs will be scanned and recorded when destroyed. Tech will record
the names of two GLCW employees present and the names of two Incinerator employees
witnessing destruction. Time frame from collection at pharmacies to destruction at
Incinerator no more than 14 days.
10. Until DEA Rules are finalized that allow registered pharmacies to accept controlled
Substances, Controlled substances may only be collected by Law Enforcement Agencies with
approval of the DEA. Law enforcement is advised to collect and dispose of controlled
substances collected according to DEA recommended method to dispose of at an EPA
approved facility for secure and complete destruction. Proposed DEA regulations issued
December 2012 will allow retail pharmacies to collect controlled substances. Final Approval
is expected in 2014.
Outcomes
1. Safe and approved drug collection/disposal program
2. Will keep drugs out of surface water, ground water and municipal water systems
3. Will reduce the availability of unused/unwanted controlled substances in homes thereby
reducing illegal activity associated with such.
4. Pharmacies will benefit from increased customer satisfaction. They will also benefit from
increased traffic flow created by collection program and the additional publicity generated.
Drug Disposal Technician requirements
Must be a registered and approved Employee of GLCW
Must have clear criminal background check
Must complete and clear Drug Testing
Must have valid driver’s license, Chauffeur License endorsement where required
Must have completed safety training.
Must have completed training of DEA regulations regarding Controlled Substance collection.
Contact: [email protected]
www.greatlakescleanwater.org
3681 Trask Lake Rd. Barton City, MI 989-736-8179
Warehouse Facility 5851 N Huron Ave. Oscoda, MI
Yellow Jug Old Drugs is a registered Trademark. Great Lakes Clean Water, and Yellow Jug are protected Service Marks under U.S. Trademark Law. The Yellow Jug
Old Drugs Protocol is protected under U.S. Copyright Law. They may not be used without express written permission. Contact for information
Protocol MI ,Il, WI, IN, 7.25.14