Washtenaw County's Home Toxics Reduction Program to expand following agreement with Road Commission
Washtenaw County will soon be expanding its Home Toxics Reduction Program thanks to an agreement with the Washtenaw County Road Commission to add to its storage capacity on Road Commission property.
The program provides residents with a disposal option for flammable, poisonous, toxic or corrosive materials, according to the county web site.
It also “addresses the environmental and public health effects resulting from improper handling and disposal of home toxics, and is committed to reducing the use of home toxics and keeping citizens informed about the choices and responsibilities associated with purchasing, handling and disposing of toxic substances,” information about the program states.
The Environmental Health Division plans to expand the current cement pad on which barrels of toxic materials are collected and install a carport-style roof over the area.
“The expansion of our facility is to accommodate additional drums for storage,” according to a letter from Jeff Krcmarik, environmental programs supervisor.
“The covered area will protect our barrels from the collection of rainwater on top of the barrels. The site will also prevent the migration of any spilled material from entering surface water near the facility,” the letter states.
Road Commission Board Chairman Doug Fuller said he’d taken a look at the storage area and was concerned that some of the drums did not have lids on them. County officials told him that the barrels are secondary containment for the toxic materials.
The county’s Environmental Health Division received a grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture in October 2010, which helps offset the costs of the home toxics program, which collects and disposes of unused pesticides, herbicides and mercury. The grant is expected to save the division about $15,000 to $20,000 annually.
Lisa Allmendinger is a regional reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com.
Comments
Ann English
Sat, Jun 25, 2011 : 11:33 p.m.
Don't know if they take burned-out curlyQ bulbs at the Road Commission building today, but a year or more ago, when I called someone there, I was told to take such bulbs (referred to as "toxics" on their website) to the Home Depot, where they're accepted in customer service. I've been taking them there ever since. The Drop Off Station (where they charge a $3 entry fee) says that non-rechargeable batteries are not toxic, and therefore can be thrown away. If you bring them any, they will throw them away themselves. Rechargeable batteries that have exhausted their long lives are considered toxic and require tape on both ends and bagged transparently in order to be accepted at the Drop Off Station.
Sandra Samons
Sat, Jun 25, 2011 : 6:23 p.m.
I assume the article refers to the Road Commission property on Zeeb Rd. I hope they take into account that on the 3rd Saturday of each month there is general recycling at the Scio Township Hall, right next door, and make sure the toxic waste center is open at the same time. People are a lot more likely to recycle toxic waste if they not only know what to recycle but if it is made convenient for them to do it.
Tom Joad
Fri, Jun 24, 2011 : 9:52 p.m.
All efforts should be made to publicize the proper disposal of hazardous chemical waste generated by homes and businesses in Ann Arbor. Recycle Ann Arbor, owing to severe budgetary constraints, charges an $3 entry fee to dispose of general household waste like motor oil, batteries, electronics, and recyclable materials. This fee encourages the dumping of numerous items into dumpsters or the trash. I have personally witnessed dumpster users throw away electronics, computer monitors, and mercury-filled fluorescent tubes either because the person doesn't know they are considered hazardous waste or the person is too lazy to properly dispose of them. The chemical burden on the environment is significant. Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County should do everything in their power to collect and manage these wastes before they are improperly mixed with general trash and the clean-up costs and effect to the natural environment is felt.
Dog Guy
Sat, Jun 25, 2011 : 4:38 p.m.
Nobody likes a snitch.