For Friday, Dec. 14, 2018

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1 – Don’t flush your unused prescription drugs.

When drugs are no longer needed, they should be taken to a collection center for incineration. This destroys the chemicals within them and prevents drugs from getting into drinking water.

The state Department of Environmental Quality has an online Drug Take Back Map to help people find disposal locations for unwanted household medications.

Take-back locations on the map include stores in Essexville and Saginaw and the Michigan State Police post in Freeland.

State environmental officials says studies have shown that pharmaceuticals are persistent at low levels in Michigan’s surface water and groundwater.  

There are known impacts to amphibians, fish, wildlife and bacteria.  

Without improvements in disposal and wastewater treatment technologies, the level of pharmaceuticals in our water is expected to increase.

For more information on proper disposal, see Michigan.gov/DEQDrugDisposal.

 

2 – A Michigan-inspired holiday gift guide has ideas for people on your list who love to hike, camp, fish, hunt or explore.

The guide is from the state Department of Natural Resources.

A portion of the proceeds from sales go to the DNR to support parks and programs.

The website is at goods4mi.com. 

Products listed include wines, coffee, Upper Peninsula gear, and gift cards for camping and boating trips.

There’s also clothing to celebrate the centennial of the state park system in 2019.

On May 9, 1919, the Michigan State Park Commission was created to acquire and maintain public lands for state parks.

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– Mr. Great Lakes is heard Friday mornings in Bay City, Michigan, on Delta College Q-90.1 FM NPR. Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes