Waste Reduction District - Monroe County

10/20/2026

Indiana State Police Partners with DEA for Drug Take Back Day

On Saturday, October 24, 2026, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is sponsoring its nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative. The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of prescription drugs.

Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs which will be properly disposed of without threat to the environment. This program is for liquid and pill medications. Va**ng pens without batteries and va**ng cartridges will also be taken. Needles, new or used, WILL NOT be accepted for disposal. This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—pose both potential safety and health hazards.

Once again, the Indiana State Police is pleased to partner with the DEA, and as in the past, unwanted medications may be dropped off at any Indiana State Police Post. The event will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

The Indiana State Police Posts in Lafayette and Putnamville will have their collections on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

To locate the State Police Post closest to your home or business, click this link to find Indiana State Police Posts on the map. To find other locations in Indiana or across the U.S. that are participating in the Drug Take Back initiative, click this link to the DEA.

10/19/2026

At the 2026 AISWMD conference, Rumpke Corporate Communications Coordinator Hillary Ladig presented on the State of Recycling. Hazmat Speciaist for the Indiana Dept. of Homeland Security Michael White talked about batteries and how they are dangerous if not handled, stored, and disposed of properly.

10/16/2026

The District's Executive Director Tom McGlasson, Jr. welcomed everyone at the 2026 Association of Indiana Solid Waste Mannagement Districts (AISWMD) conference at the Spring Mill State Park. Topics were education, and sustainable cycles from recycling to food waste. We thank all those involved in organizing the conference, the presenters, and the vendors.

10/12/2026

Want to get involved with waste reduction issues with the Waste Reduction District of Monroe County? Join "CAC," the Citizen's Advisory Committee. We are looking for new members. Contact Tom McGlasson at [email protected].

10/09/2026

This is the "cradle to cradle" system which all stakeholders should be investing in TODAY. This was discussed at the Circular Economy conference.

10/07/2026

Desiging out waste and extended producer responsiblity is a focus of the "Circular Economy." A variety of stakeholders and industries spoke at the 10/5 Circular Economy Conference in Indianapolis. Products are more complex and dangerous today and polluters must internalize the costs. Let's imitate nature. Nature is circular. It's a closed loop system, a naturally zero waste system.

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

Can you spot the insect on my shirt? Photos from BugFest 2026. It's always a pleasure to help parents and children identify what's Househould Hazardous Waste (HHW) and what they can use as alternatives. Best to be your own chemist! We also learned to get insects to eat our food waste.

09/30/2026

Photos and a video from the Peden Children's Farm Festival 9/24 and 9/25. We introduced children and families to recyclable materials and taught them how to identify plastics to be recycled. Two hundred District reusable bags were distributed! We enjoy helping families every year.

09/29/2026

Amcor completed a clean-up of their adopted road on September 25, 2026 as part of their World Clean Up Day celebrations! Over the past 3.5 years they have completed 12 clean-ups along Profile Parkway, removing approximately 479 pounds of waste and 17 pounds of recyclable materials. Thank you for being a great corporate partner of the District’s Adopt-A-Road Program! If you’re interested in partnering with the Waste Reduction District’s Adopt-A-Road Program, please email [email protected]!