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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
SEATTLE—The Bartell Drug Company was named as one of King County’s “Earth Heroes” for Fall 2003 at ceremonies held earlier this week.
Bartell’s was selected for the award due to the success and innovation of the “Great Mercury Thermometer Exchange” take-back program, which the company helped launch in conjunction with the Local Hazardous Waste Program in King County and other participating pharmacies in February of 2003.
Bartell Drugs collected 30,000 mercury fever thermometers at 39 King County locations. In exchange for their old mercury thermometer, local residents were provided with a new digital thermometer. The success of the program has helped prevent up to 66 pounds of toxic mercury from entering King County’s waste stream and negatively impacting the environment.
King County’s “Earth Hero Awards” were launched by the King County Executive Office to honor those individuals, businesses, and organizations that are working to make a positive impact on our environment and to acknowledge their outstanding contributions to maintaining the natural beauty of this region. For more information on the Earth Hero awards visit the Earth Legacy website at www.metrokc.gov/earthlegacy.
Family owned Bartell Drugs operates 52 stores in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. The 113-year old company is the nation’s oldest drugstore chain.
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