2001 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program

GLOW Region Solid Waste Management Committee 2006 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program Final Report Executive Summary

GLOW began to offer collection of hazardous chemicals when it held its Farm Pesticide Amnesty Collection Program in 1995. This led to the realization that residents needed a way to dispose of household hazardous wastes. The first household program was held in 1996. Household collections were held each year thereafter until 1999 when a second farm pesticide collection was held. Household collections resumed in 2000 and have been held each year since then. 2006 represents the tenth year. Traditionally two collects have been held each year. Due to financial constraints, single collections began in 2004, continued in 2005 and 2006 and are expected to continue in the future. Funding for these programs has been via grants awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the N.Y.S. Department of Environmental Conservation, along with funds from GLOW’s administrative budget.

In 2005 GLOW submitted a grant application to the DEC for funding for collections to be held in 2006 and 2007, along with an anticipated overage from the 2005 program. GLOW received notification in December of 2005 that the application had been approved. GLOW’s share of this grant is $40,000 (representing a 50% contribution by GLOW).

GLOW had issued an RFP in October of 2004 for the 2005 collection program. Five (5) proposals were received. The RFP requested pricing for collection, recycling and/or disposal of household chemicals, cleaning products, insecticides, oil based paint, resins and adhesives, and other hazardous materials. After careful analysis and discussion, Environmental Enterprises, Inc. (EEI) of Cincinnati, Ohio was chosen as the primary vendor. EEI was unique in that their pricing is based exclusively on the weight of the material, rather than on the per container cost that GLOW was familiar with. In the contract that GLOW signed with EEI there was a provision that the contract could be extended for one year at the same terms and conditions. GLOW chose to exercise this option and EEI was agreeable. Pricing was solicited to provide additional collection services. Electronic Recycling Technologies was chosen to take computers and their peripherals, along with TVs; Waste Management, Inc. was chosen to collect solid waste and corrugated cardboard and Geiter Done of NY was chosen to collect tires. Due to the high cost submitted for collection of oil, oil filters and antifreeze, for the first time in the history of the program GLOW chose to have the primary vendor, (EEI) accept these items. GLOW’s experience and track record with past collections has proven invaluable and has led to a fine-tuning of the program. The result is that the program is run in a cost effective manner and as efficiently as possible. 2006 was no exception. In fact, costs for the 2006 program were well within the budget and more than $1,500 less than those incurred in 2005. The program was promoted extensively throughout the counties. Advertisements were placed in local newspapers, pennysavers and on a local radio station, two press releases were issued, and staff promoted the program in radio interviews. In addition, laminated posters, a poster suitable for copying, and copies of press releases (for municipal newsletters) were sent to all 73 municipalities and their transfer stations. GLOW also sent postcards to 124 residents that were placed on a notification list that is maintained in between programs.

Steps were taken to keep program costs down. These steps included: not accepting latex paints and stains and empty aerosol cans and other empty containers (which can be placed in the regular trash) and encouraging residents to take uncontaminated containers back. Clean corrugated cardboard boxes were to be placed in a separate roll off container for recycling. In addition, Ed Arnold Recycling accepted vehicle batteries, propane tanks and propane canisters at no charge to GLOW.

Once again, a system of appointments was established for residents who wanted to participate. 16 or 17 appointments were taken for each 15-minute interval. Initially 320 spots were available. To account for “no shows” a total of 344 appointments were taken. Residents made appointments by telephone and email and were sent a registration packet two weeks prior to the collection. The packet included a registration form with safety information, an exit survey card, various brochures promoting safety, providing disposal options and HHW substitutes and a map. A flyer with information on disabling computer hard drives and a note promoting the sale of Earth Machine composters was also included. All spots were filled two and a half days prior to the event. After all spots, plus 44 more (to account for no shows) were filled a waiting list was started. Those on the waiting list were given appointments as cancellations were received. Fifteen people remained on this list the day of the event at the end of the day on Friday. A cell phone number was left on the office answering machine on Friday, resulting in approximately 10 calls from residents who either wanted to attend and had not made an appointment or needed to cancel an appointment. Staff did call six (6) people and told they could attend. Four (4) of those people were able to come. There were 7 drive ins. Total attendance was 306.

The event was held on Saturday May 13 at the Wyoming County Highway Department in Rock Glen. The site was chosen because it is large enough to conduct the event and is on or near main thoroughfares. Residents began arriving at 8:00 a.m. The collection started at 8:45 a.m.. Staff and volunteers unloaded vehicles with speedily and efficiently. Residents waited no more than 10 to 15 minutes. Many were able to drive in and out with no wait at all.

The volume of material taken out of the waste stream was impressive. Residents disposed of: 252 tires, 183 vehicle batteries, 10,969 lbs. of oil, 711 lbs. oil filters, 280 propane canisters and 100 20-pound propane tanks. Also collected were 10,786 lbs. of paint, 1,683 lbs. of pesticides, 767 lbs. of aerosols, 673 lbs. of resins & adhesives and 240 lbs. of fluorescent tubes. In addition, 138 computer monitors/CRTs, 128 CPUs, 89 printers, 4 laptop computers, 72 TVs and a variety of miscellaneous electronics and computer component were accepted.

Exit survey results were consistent with other recent programs. The vast majority of residents rated the events as 4 or 5 (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 the highest) and said that they appreciated the opportunity to dispose of hazardous materials. They often commented on how courteous staff and volunteers were and how well organized the event was. Most had found out about the program through local newspaper and penny saver advertising and just under half had not participated in previous year’s events.

Total program costs were $23,455.88. Of that amount $17,965.67 was for disposal of materials and $5,490.21 was for advertising, printing, postage, supplies and refreshments. Eligible expenses amounted to $23,377.08 of which GLOW will be reimbursed $11,688.54. Program costs amount to $73.86 per participant.

For more information on this program or a copy of the full report contact Peggy Grayson, Recycling Administrator at (585) 344-2580 extension 5463.