Do you have documents you'll like to shred? Or do you have prescription medicine you want to discard, but you don't know where to go? Two events are happening that'll help you with these issues.
The Village of Park Forest is hosting a combined shredding and drug take-back event on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. to help you get rid of those items properly.
Carrie Malfeo, the village's sustainability coordinator, says the events are open to the public and not just Park Forest residents.
"We're having our fall shredding event and drug take-back event in the village hall parking lot," said Malfeo. "It's like a drive-thru experience, and the shredding will be done on-site."
Malfeo says there's a maximum of two boxes per car so everyone can participate in the shredding event. She says people can either put the boxes in the back seat of their vehicles or the trunks so volunteers can get them in the drive-thru event.
Additionally, Malfeo says if someone wants to participate in the drug take-back event that's happening simultaneously with the shredding event, they can bring those items with them too.
"Then the drug take back, it's through the Park Forest Police Department," said Malfeo. "So any old prescription drugs even, it doesn't even have to be prescription drugs, it can be over-the-counter drugs too, that are expired."
Malfeo says it is important to remember that addiction starts at home. She says normally people become addicted by using other people's medication and that is why it is important to discard them properly. She says sometimes people think they should flush them in the toilet. However, that pollutes the water system.
"It's also important for people to know that they can help recycle their drugs at the Park Forest Police Department all day and every day," said Malfeo. "There's a mailbox in the lobby that you can just drop the medication in."
Malfeo says if you have a liquid medication, you will not be able to drop that off during the event or at the police station. Nevertheless, you can put it in the drop-off bin outside of the CVS Pharmacy store which is located at 1 Main Street.
"You can keep them in their original bottles," said Malfeo. "You don't have to bag them, and you can keep them in their bottles and put them right in the drop-off box."
Again if you or someone you know need to drop off some materials that need shredding or if you'd like to participate in the drug take-back event, follow the posted signs coming into the village hall's parking lot on Main Street. The event will run Saturday, Sept 24. from 10 a.m. until noon.