RIRRC Again Extends Collection Hours at Central Landfill
Effort to help cities and individuals with quick disposal of flood debris
JOHNSTON, R.I. (April 6, 2010) – Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation today announced that it will again extend operating hours at the Central Landfill. The landfill will be open for two additional hours for April 7 through April 9, and will extend its hours to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 10.
“We are handling a higher-than-normal volume of waste and will accommodate the needs of our municipal, commercial and individual customers to get rid of the flood-damaged material as quickly as possible,” said Michael OConnell, executive director of RIRRC. OConnell reports that RIRRC has seen a marked increase over the past few days in vehicle traffic and tonnage at the landfill.
In order for municipalities to apply for FEMA reimbursement, household trash left for collection at the curb must be separated from flood debris. However, if individuals choose to bring the waste to the Central Landfill themselves, their disposal fees would not be eligible for FEMA reimbursement.
For those who do choose to drive their damaged goods to the Central Landfill in Johnston, they must first stop at the RIRRC scale house to be weighed, and then be directed to the drop-off area. As they exit, they must cross over the scales to be weighed a second time, and the amount owed will be based on the net tonnage delivered. The minimum fee for residential drop off is $23 for the first 550 pounds of waste. Any weight over 550 pounds will be charged a proportionate rate per pound.
The extended hours are:
- Wednesday, April 7: Open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday, April 8: Open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday, April 9: Open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday, April 10: Open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday, April 17: Open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Saturday, April 24: Open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Residents must discard household hazardous waste (HHW) via the RIRRC Eco-Depot program, as they normally would. Examples of common HHW include oil-based paint, fluorescent light bulbs, lawn chemicals, pesticides, antifreeze, pool chemicals, turpentine, muriatic acid, and fire extinguishers. Any product that is flammable, combustible, explosive, toxic, corrosive, poisonous and hazardous to health qualifies as HHW.
The updated April collection dates and locations are:
- April 10 from 8 a.m. – noon, Central Landfill, 65 Shun Pike, Johnston
- April 17 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Second Beach, Middletown
- April 17 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Central Landfill, 65 Shun Pike, Johnston
- April 24 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Jenks Jr. High, 350 Division St., Pawtucket
- April 24 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Block Island
“HHW is never allowed to be mixed with regular trash,” said OConnell. “If the products have been compromised or their containers breeched because of the flooding, they will need to bring them to an Eco-Depot collection.”
RIRRC warns residents to use caution when handling and transporting materials to Eco-Depot. Some products can cause reactions if they are combined with other hazardous products so it’s best to keep the HHW in original containers. Line your vehicle floor with newspaper or plastic, and put bunched up newspaper between different HHW products.
For more information about what qualifies for HHW collections, directions, collection dates, and handling instructions, visit the Eco-Depot page on www.rirrc.org or call 942-1430 x 241.
All Rhode Islanders in need of flood disaster assistance should register with FEMA at www.fema.gov or 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585).
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.