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Pollution Prevention Champions

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Contact DEQ

Joanna Pierce

DEQ State Office
1410 N. Hilton
Boise, Idaho 83706
ph: (208) 373-0146
fx: (208) 373-0342

joanna.pierce@deq.idaho.gov


Pollution Prevention Champion:
Bonneville County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event

 
 Environmental Commitment

The Bonneville County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event was a collaborative effort among Bonneville County, the City of Idaho Falls, the City of Ammon, and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality that provided an opportunity for residents and small businesses to bring their hazardous wastes to a central location for disposal.

 

 Pollution Prevention Successes

 Planning

The event was executed on May 11 and 12, 2007, but the planning started long before then.  A planning committee was formed in May of 2006, consisting of representatives of event sponsors.  The committee used Environmental Protection Agency guidance to determine the goals and logistics of the event, including who would be eligible to bring waste, which wastes would be accepted, projected event costs, and other important details.

 

 The Event

Day one of the event was open to small businesses categorized as Small Quantity Generators (less than 2,200 pounds of hazardous waste generated per calendar month).  Each business had to make an appointment and pay a small fee for dropping of their hazardous wastes.  Day two of the event was open to the general public and began early as cars were lining up before the event even opened.  However, as cars were waiting their turn, volunteers were ready with educational material about household hazardous wastes, how to reduce their use, where to recycle them, and how to safely label and store them.

As citizens arrived, volunteers unloaded each car and sorted the wastes.  The wastes were then combined according to type, including paints, oils, antifreeze, aerosols, flammable liquids, mixed hydrocarbons, batteries, and electronics.  Volunteers were able to unload two cars per minute and drivers had to wait between 15 and 50 minutes for their turn.

 

 Success

During the two-day event, the original goal of 400 households was more than doubled as over 900 cars, trucks, and trailers were able to unload their hazardous wastes.  Overall 1,200 gallons of waste oil, 500 gallons of antifreeze, 86 cubic feet of paint, 3 cubic feet of pesticides, and 150 55 gallon drums of other chemicals were collected.  Additionally, a large number of electronics and batteries were collected for recycling.  More importantly, no injuries or accidents occurred during the event, and the community was excited and grateful to participate.  The event provided a valuable service to the community it serves by removing a significant amount of hazardous waste from households and preventing hazardous wastes from being abandoned, dumped, or improperly disposed of.

 
 For More Information

Contact Kevin Eckersell (208) 529-1290.

 

Information on this Web page represents examples of projects undertaken by the organizations only and does not constitute Departmental certification or approval of compliance at this or any other time with federal, state and/or local regulations, but is solely presented as an example of projects undertaken by organizations in order to prevent pollution and/or conserve resources.

 

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