The following video news story from the United Methodist Communications is being posted on Earth Keeper TV with written permission from the United Methodist Communications.
Any links to this video must expressly credit the United Methodist News Service.
The United Methodist Church is one of 9 faith communities with 140 churches and temples who are members of the Earth Keeper Initiative in Michgan's Upper Peninsula.
The following story by Reporter Reed Galin was videotaped in Marquette, MI on Earth Day weekend 2007 during the third annual Earth Keeper Clean Sweep.
Background on the 2007 Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep - followed by script from this TV story:
Northern Michigan residents turn in one ton of drugs plus additional narcotics worth estimated $500,000 at 19 free collections sites across the Upper Peninsula.
The Earth Day 2007 project targeted all old and unwanted pharmaceuticals and personal care products like shampoos, lotions and perfumes.
The third annual Earth Keeper Clean Sweep was sponsored by nine faith communities (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, and Zen Buddhist), the Superior Watershed Partnership, the Cedar Tree Institute, and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.
About 2,000 people turned in drugs that many collected from family and friends.
Assistance was provided by the Michigan Pharmacists Association and numerous law enforcement agencies including the DEA and Michigan Sheriff's Association.
Funded by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Thrivent Financial, the EPA says pharmaceutical collections are important because when flushed or dumped down the drain trace amounts of the medicines return in drinking water and rivers because water treatment plants are not designed to remove those chemicals that are harmful to wildlife and possibly humans.
Northern Michigan religious leaders says the results show their environmental message is being heard.
Previous collections netted nearly 400 tons of household poisons, vehicle batteries, old computers and cells phones - all recycled or properly disposed.
United Methodist News Service TV Story - INTRO:
The idea behind Earth Day is for people to stop and think about the environment we live in - and what we can do to improve it.
A program called Earth Keepers is changing the way thousands dispose of everyday household items and care for the planet.
Reed Galin reports.
SCRIPT:
(Locator: Marquette, Michigan)
Drugs - in grocery bags, and shoeboxes - a steady stream of expired and just unwanted pharmaceuticals.
(Man with box of bottles)
"There, finally got rid of 'em."
Come in to Grace United Methodist Church in Marquette, Michigan.
The Rev. Charlie West/Pastor, Grace United Methodist Church:
"Things that all our lives we just tossed in the trash, flushed down the toilet... but all of a sudden scientists are starting to discover traces of compounds starting to affect fish and even starting to show up I understand in some human tissues."
Pharmacists are on hand.
Doug Anderson/ Pharmacist:
"I'm just making sure that none of these are controlled substances before we toss them out. They have to be disposed of by the DEA."
Collection sites were set up by faith communities across 15 Lake Superior counties. This is still one of the more pristine bodies of water in the world but pharmaceutical chemicals have been detected here, too.
The drugs will be incinerated.
Edith Prosen, Participant: "We all need to do our part."
(Sorting bottles)
"Expires 5-04, so that can go."
Pastor Charlie West sorted through his family's drugs.
The Rev. Charlie West/Pastor, Grace United Methodist Church: "It's important to dispose of it responsibly because that's a faith issue--to be stewards of God's creation."
Earth Keepers, a faith-based coalition of a hundred churches, collected massive amounts of electronic waste last year.
This year's effort kept a ton of pharmaceuticals from potentially contaminating the water system. The E.P.A. has noticed this environmental action model.
John Perricone/Eco System Project Manager, E.P.A Region 5:
"Churches are very effective. Two things happened today. One, we are diverting drugs from the water system. But the real issue is raising awareness."
TAG:
For more information on the annual Earth Keeper Clean Sweep day, go to www.superiorwatersheds.org or contact Grace United Methodist Church at 906-225-0616.
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This is the best kept scret in the world. We have been polluting our waters with unused and expired meidcations for years. Recently, the Journal of the American Medical Association(JAMA),reported on this. Additionally, there is an industry that reclaims and incinerates these pollutants and creates inexpensive electricity from them. this is a win/win strategy: We lower water pollution and reduce dependence on foreign oil.
Faustino Gonzalez, MD (galego4)
galego4 3 years ago
Dear Faustino Gonzalez,MD aka galego4,
You are correct - thank you for the comments.
Also check out our Earth Healing TV site and all the videos from cities that did pharma collections across the Great Lakes during the EPA Great Lakes 2008 Earth Day Challenge like Erie, PA and many others:
Go to EarthHealingTV on youtube
YOOPERNEWSMAN 3 years ago
my name is chris and im recycling stuff like cans, copper, medal, wires. just stuff what might be worth it.
dietzchris 4 years ago
Dear Chris,
Glad to hear you care about environment.
Earth Keepers wish you luck with your recycling effort.
I see you are a hardworking janitor at an AFB - and are known for your honesty and careful work - those are all great things.
The interfaith Earth Keepers get a lot done with a tiny budget - that's why I volunteer for these dedicated people who care about the future of the Earth.
Thanks for checking out our video
YOOPERNEWSMAN 4 years ago