Stericycle and RCAP Partner to Bring Safe Drug Disposal Solutions to Rural Communities

10,000 Seal&Send medication disposal envelopes will be provided to communities via water utility bills and solid waste disposal programs to protect water quality and combat the opioid crisis in rural communities

BANNOCKBURN, IL, Jan. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Stericycle, the leading provider of compliance-based solutions, including award-winning solutions for safe medication disposal, and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), a non-profit network focused on improving water quality for rural and small communities across the U.S., have partnered to pilot a program focused on improving water quality and combatting the opioid crisis in rural America.

In early 2020, RCAP will be distributing 10,000 of Stericycle's Seal&Send medication mail back envelopes to rural communities in multiple regions across the United States. The envelopes can be used to safely and sustainably remove leftover medications from home medicine cabinets and the environment. The program allows people to mail back their unused drugs for destruction and disposal by regulated medical waste incineration, thus removing potentially harmful pharmaceuticals from water systems and sources and landfills in these communities.

"The strength of our network is relationships with communities," said RCAP Chief Executive Officer, Nathan Ohle. "We are founded on the belief that partnerships make our work and impact better, and this is the perfect example of finding innovative partnerships that benefit the communities we serve."

This first-of-its kind pilot will include an innovative approach to reaching and connecting with rural communities on the issue of safe drug disposal. RCAP will be working with six regional partners to distribute Stericycle's Seal&Send envelopes, along with educational information about safe drug disposal, in water utility bills or other solid waste programs they are coordinating in these communities. RCAP regional partners are located in all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and are launching this pilot to assess the viability of expanding this program across the country.

"From leftover prescription drugs in the home fueling the opioid crisis to pharmaceutical contamination of water ways and drinking water, safe medication disposal is critical to protect people, the public, and the planet," said Stericycle Chief Executive Officer, Cindy Miller. "We are proud to partner with and support the important work that RCAP is doing to protect rural communities from the negative impacts of improper medication management in the home."

"Our mission at RCAP is to serve rural communities in addressing whatever issues they might face," continued Ohle. "Our work focuses on assisting communities in providing safe drinking water and sanitary wastewater services, and we know the harmful effects that prescription drugs can have on water sources and systems. This innovative approach is a small way to combat a powerful issue confronting communities across the country, and by partnering with Stericycle through their Seal&Send solution, we can help communities protect water systems and sources while also preventing opioid abuse in the home."

If the pilot is successful, RCAP will work with Stericycle, grant funders and regional partners to expand this water protection program to all 50 states across the U.S.

About Stericycle

Stericycle, Inc., (Nasdaq: SRCL) is a U.S. based business-to-business services company and leading provider of compliance-based solutions that protect people and brands, promote health and safeguard the environment. Stericycle serves more than one million customers in all 50 U.S. states and 20 countries worldwide with solutions for regulated waste management, secure information destruction, compliance, customer contact, and brand protection.  For more information about Stericycle, please visit www.stericycle.com.

About RCAP

RCAP is a national non-profit network providing opportunity, assistance, and practical guidance to small communities in all fifty states, U.S. territories, and tribal lands to ensure access to safe drinking water, sanitary wastewater disposal, and economic prosperity for all rural America. To learn more about RCAP, visit www.rcap.org.

SOURCE Stericycle, Inc.