RIRRC TO HOST TWO ECO-DEPOT COLLECTIONS ON 6/19

RIRRC TO HOST TWO ECO-DEPOT COLLECTIONS ON 6/19

Choose one to drop off household hazardous waste or unwanted electronics

JOHNSTON, R.I. (June 1, 2010) – Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation will hold two special-wastes collections on June 19:  One at the Central Landfill in Johnston from  8:00 a.m. until noon, and one at Lincoln Town Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Both are free for R.I. residents.

“It’s a busy season as many Rhode Islanders engage in home improvement projects, step up their gardening activities, or clean out their homes,” said Mike OConnell, executive director of RIRRC.  “We see a surge in requests to use our Eco-Depot and e-waste collection services, so we have collections nearly every weekend in spring.  We try to make the service accessible, quick and convenient and ask everyone to avail themselves of this outstanding program.”

In Johnston, RIRRC will collect both electronic waste and household hazardous waste (HHW).  At the Lincoln collection, only HHW will be accepted.   Appointments are required at both HHW locations to reduce time waiting in line.

Acceptable e-waste includes televisions, computers, printers, keyboards, laptops, cell phones, hard drives, scanners, modems, and mouse devices.

Products such as fluorescent light bulbs, oil-based paints, motor oil, fertilizers, and propane gas tanks cannot be placed among regular trash destined for the landfill.  Nearly all households have some amounts of hazardous waste stored in sheds, garages, and basements.  These products typically have warning labels marked “flammable,” “combustible,” “explosive,” or “corrosive.”  When discarded improperly, they are as harmful to the environment as they are to humans and animals.

For a comprehensive list of HHW, visit www.rirrc.org.  There, you can book your appointment.  For questions or concerns, call 942-1430 x241.  Appointments are not necessary for recycling e-waste.  For waste collection information specific to the Town of Lincoln, call 333-8422.

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.