Big Red Barrel

What is the Big Red Barrel?

The Big Red Barrel Program is designed to reduce misuse of prescription drugs in a community by proactive collection and disposal through safe means, utilizing a local “drop-off barrel” point. The barrels are permanent units located at police stations, and allow community members to properly dispose of their unused, unwanted or expired medication for free.

All medication is then collected and transported by law enforcement officials, and disposed of in an environmentally safe, EPA-approved manner. Pharmaceutically-controlled substances are accepted including, but not limited to, OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet. No questions will be asked.

Our motto is “Don’t flush, toss, share, or save for later. Use the Big Red Barrel.”

Why Use Big Red Barrel?

Medicine abuse hurts people.

Many kids assume it is safe to abuse medicine, because it is prescribed by a doctor, or sold in a pharmacy. But when taken in high doses or mixed with other drugs, many medications have serious and life-threatening consequences, including addiction, overdose, and progression to illegal drugs like heroin.

Improper disposal of unused medication hurts our environment.

Pharmaceuticals are present and persistent in Michigan’s waters, meaning they do not easily break down. According to Christine Grossman, Waste Specialist with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, “Environmental testing has shown materials like sleep aids, blood pressure medications, birth control, antidepressants, and various other medications in our water.”

SRSLY MANCHESTER YOUTUBE VIDEO:
MEDICATION SAFETY & PROPER DISPOSAL OF MEDICATION
KLAGER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: MATH & SCIENCE NIGHT
(INCLUDES a Brief Segment on Consequences of Tobacco Use Activity)

HOW DOES THE BIG RED BARREL WORK?

There are three simple steps to the process:

Bring your unused, expired, or unwanted prescription or over-the-counter pills, in their original containers, to the Sheriff’s Station in the lower level of the Manchester Village Office, 912 City Road. The hours for drop-off are: 8am-4:30pm M-F, and during library hours).
Place medications in the plastic bags provided at the drop-off chute located in the hallway at the Sheriff’s Station. Seal the bags and deposit in the chute. Do not place any containers with your personal information in the barrel. (There will be posted instructions and supplies available there for your use.)
Feel good about doing the right thing to protect our kids, and our environment!

*Please note: Only solid medicines are accepted.
** Contact your local pharmacy to ask about proper disposal of the following items.
*** Check out ewashtenaw.org for County specific disposal information options.

NO SHARPS
NO INHALERS
NO PATCHES
NO LIQUIDS