8/31/2012

PRESS RELEASE: 2012 HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION PROGRAM

Set for Saturday, September 22, at 22nd & York Streets
Opportunity for Residents to Earn 100 Recycling Rewards Points

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Streets Department will hold its fifth Household Hazardous Drop-off event of the 2012 season on Saturday, September 22, announced Streets Department Commissioner Clarena I.W. Tolson. The event will be held at the Department’s site at the 3rd District Highway Yard at 22nd and York Streets. Residents may drop off materials between 9 AM and 3 PM.

The Streets Department is having a successful year in the Household Hazardous Waste collection program, as over 2,770 residents have safely disposed of 201,000 pounds of hazardous materials and 31,000 pounds of computers at events held between April and July.

As an added incentive, residents participating in the Philadelphia Recycling Rewards Program can earn 100 reward points by dropping off household hazardous waste at any of the city’s events. Participants will receive a card with a code to get the 100 points.

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 http://www.philadelphiastreets.com/hazardous-waste.aspx or contact the Customer Affairs Unit at 215-686-5560. For all City services, call 3-1-1.

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