DISPOSE HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS FREE IN JOHNSTON

DISPOSE HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS FREE IN JOHNSTON

Bring HHW waste to the Central Landfill for safe disposal

JOHNSTON, R.I. (June 1, 2009) – Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation is accepting appointments for its June 20 Eco-Depot household hazardous waste collection in Johnston. The service is free and available by appointment only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and noon. To schedule an appointment, call 942-1430 x241.

The most common items Eco-Depot accepts are:

· propane gas tanks

· oil-based paints and stain, varnish

· thinner and turpentine

· pesticide, weed killer, fertilizer

· automotive fluid such as antifreeze, gasoline, and motor oil

· mercury thermometers and thermostats

· kerosene and lamp oil

· swimming pool, photographic and hobby chemicals

· fluorescent light bulbs

“The most popular material dropped off at Eco-Depot is oil-based paint,” said Mike OConnell, executive director of RIRRC. “It’s an item that tends to be kept for a long time so households tend to accumulate many gallons of paint. Please bring them to Eco-Depot for proper disposal.”

All of the household products listed above contain hazardous chemicals. These chemicals are toxic, corrosive, and can easily catch on fire or explode when mixed with other substances. Most homes have a number of hazardous products stored in the basement, garage, kitchen, bathroom, and shed. The unused contents of these products are known as “household hazardous waste.”

To find out which products in your home are hazardous, look for the words “caution,” “hazardous,” “danger,” “flammable” or “poison” on the labels. If not disposed of properly, they pose a threat to humans, animals and the environment. These products can harm septic systems, can leach into drinking-water wells, and may degrade the quality of Rhode Island’s shoreline.

For more information about household hazardous waste and to review of longer list of accepted items, go to rirrc.org and click on the Eco-Depot logo on the right-hand side of the site.

Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation is the quasi-state environmental agency dedicated to providing the public with environmentally sound programs and facilities to manage waste. The agency helps fund and promote the state’s recycling program, and owns and operates the Materials Recycling Facility and Central Landfill in Johnston.