Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW) are those wastes produced in our households that are hazardous in nature, but are not regulated as hazardous waste, under federal and state laws. Each person in the United States produces an average of four pounds of HHW each year for a total of about 530,000 tons/yr. Included are such items as old paints and paint related products, pesticides, pool chemicals, drain cleaners, and degreasers and other car care products. Such consumer waste products, if carelessly disposed can, and frequently do, create environmental and public health hazards. This is an opportunity to rid your home or small business of household hazardous materials that cannot be reused, recycled, or should not be disposed of with your everyday trash.
While a modern sanitary landfill is constructed to protect groundwater and soil from contamination by these products, there is some potential for damaging the liners or leachate collection system if acids and caustic chemicals accumulate from regular trash collections. In addition, when residential garbage is collected, it is compacted in the collection truck to make room for more garbage. When compacted, chemical containers can break and their contents can mix with other chemicals. Depending on the chemicals involved, the resulting reaction may create toxic smoke, fumes, and fires which could injure collection workers, family members, neighbors, pets, and the environment. Household chemicals are regularly poured into sewers, poured out onto soil, and disposed of in landfills. Even those containers that are safely stored can, over time, corrode and rot and begin to leak, making their removal and disposal difficult and expensive. The potential for exposure to people, animals, and contaminating the environment increases with each passing day.
The City of Bristol Virginia, Public Works Department, Solid Waste Division is sponsoring a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day at the Public Works Facility located at 2103 Shakesville Road on Saturday, October 24, 2009. The event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ONLY. The event is open to Residents and Small Businesses of Bristol, Virginia ONLY. Call (276) 645-3791 for directions or more event information.
Types of materials that will be accepted are:
Antifreeze Paint & Thinners Herbicides
Aerosols Pool Chemicals Mercury Debris
Cleaners Used Oil Gasoline
Adhesives Solvents Kerosene
Batteries Propane Tanks Pesticides
Fertilizers Electronics Light Bulbs
All acceptable wastes should be:
• Limited to 5 gallons to 75 pounds of material from any given vehicle on any given day;
• Delivered in structurally sound and sealed containers; and
• Delivered in labeled containers (when possible) or contents known to the individual bringing in waste.
Household hazardous waste will be accepted from Bristol, Virginia Residents and Small Businesses ONLY. The following wastes will not be accepted:
Ammunition Asbestos Materials
Commercial Hazardous Waste Explosives
Prescription Drugs Radioactive Materials
Household hazardous waste collection events are held the 2nd Saturday in May and the 4th Saturday in October from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
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