2012 HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION PROGRAM

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Streets Department will hold its second Household Hazardous Drop-off event of the 2012 season on Saturday, May 19, announced Streets Department Commissioner Clarena I.W. Tolson. The event will be held at the Department’s 1st Highway Yard, 4800 Parkside Avenue. Residents may drop off materials between 9 AM and 3 PM.

The Streets Department’s Sanitation Division holds Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off events throughout the year to allow residents an opportunity to recycle or dispose of unwanted Household Hazardous Waste accumulated in their home or garage. By taking potentially hazardous materials to a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off event, we can avoid contamination of the environment, harm to sanitation collection workers, and remove potential hazards from our homes.

In 2011, over 4,162 residents dropped off approximately 131 tons of household hazardous waste and 130 tons of computer equipment and TVs. Over 50% of the materials accepted were recycled, including all of the computer equipment and TVs, 2,000 gallons of used motor oil, 200 gallons of antifreeze, and 4 tons of automotive batteries. Other materials accepted included 3,000 pounds of pesticides and 5,600 gallons of flammable materials. Of particular interest to the Sanitation Division was the acceptance of over 1,000 pounds of oxidizers and over 300 gallons of acids. These materials can react with other materials in a refuse compactor truck injuring our workers or causing a vehicle fire.

Household Hazardous Waste can also harm the environment; one gallon of used oil can contaminate one million gallons of freshwater. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) estimates that the average household can accumulate up to 100 pounds per year of oil base paint, used oil, solvents, pesticides, car batteries, and other hazardous household wastes. These materials can be safely disposed of by taking them to a Household Hazardous Waste event.

Checking product labels for these key words can identify household Hazardous Waste: TOXIC, FLAMMABLE, CORROSIVE, and REACTIVE. As a reminder, latex or water base paint is not hazardous and can be placed in the regular trash if the paint is dried up or solidified with an absorbent material such as kitty litter.

Trained staff will be on hand to sort and properly package materials dropped off for disposal. No waste materials generated by a business will be accepted. For additional information, please visit the Streets Department’s website at www.phila.gov/streets and click on Hazardous Waste on the menu or contact the Customer Affairs Unit at 215-686-5560. For all City services, call 3-1-1.