Residents of Marlboro, Putney, Vernon, and Whitingham are invited to bring household hazardous waste to collection sites on Saturday May 18.
Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD) Executive Director Bob Spencer said that residents of the four towns, as well as any resident of Windham County, can participate in the collection events, which will be open from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Marlboro Elementary School, Putney Fire Station, Vernon Town Garage, and Whitingham Town Garage.
Residents of those towns should look for postcards this week that list materials that can be brought to the collection events.
WSWMD receives a grant each year from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation to provide education and collection programs for household hazardous waste.
Household hazardous waste (HHW) is defined as the unused or leftover portion of household products containing toxic chemicals, and can be identified by labels such as: “Warning,“ “Caution,” “Poisonous,” “Toxic,” “Flammable,” “Corrosive,” Reactive,” or “Explosive,” as well as thermometers, thermostats, and other products containing mercury.
Acceptable items include roofing tar, varnishes, paint strippers/thinners, oil paints/stains, antifreeze, motor oil, brake fluid, gasoline, car wax, transmission fluid, driveway sealer, pool chemicals, chemical fertilizers, weed killers, pesticides, insecticides, spot removers, bleach, polishes, drain/toilet cleaners, chemistry sets, flea control products, and mothballs.
Improper disposal can contaminate lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater, pollute the air with dangerous fumes, and put sanitation and landfill/recycling workers at risk for serious injury.
Unacceptable items include explosives, ammunition, fireworks, radioactive waste, electronic waste, medical waste, empty containers, fluorescent bulbs and latex paint.
The collections are open to all residents of the district and are limited to 10 gallons of HHW.
Businesses, schools and institutions that generate less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month can participate in the Nov. 2 collection, which will take place in Brattleboro, Dover, Jamaica, and Townshend.
In 2012 the WSWMD collected more than 36,840 pounds of hazardous waste for disposal. All items collected at the events are disposed of or recycled in an environmentally safe manner.