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June household hazardous waste collection event serves over 1,000 households

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Fri, Jun 24th 2016 10:50 am

June 18 event at ECC South unloads waste from 1,097 vehicles in 5-hour period

The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning announced 1,097 households participated in the June 18 household hazardous waste collection event at Erie Community College South Campus - the second such collection event held this year.

In May, 827 vehicles were unloaded at a similar collection event held at ECC North Campus, bringing the total number of households served at the two events to 1,924.

These popular collection events allow for the safe disposal of hazardous items that should not be thrown out with the regular garbage. An estimated 1,150 gallons of waste oils, 228 gallons of gasoline, 295 gallons of antifreeze and 12,119 gallons of oil-based paints were collected at the recent five-hour event, along with an estimated 5,632 cans of aerosols.

"Again this month, we see the importance of these types of collection events, with over 1,000 residents taking the opportunity to safely dispose of these products that cannot be thrown in the trash or flushed down the drain. Participants in these events understand the importance of responsible disposal of these items and I thank them for their help in protecting our environment," Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said. "Thanks also go to the Department of Environment and Planning, which works with partners to coordinate these successful events and foster a cleaner, greener Erie County. Taking steps to prevent chemicals, fuels and other contaminants from entering our waterways and landfills is an important way to work towards creating a county that is healthy and sustainable into the future."

Other materials collected at Saturday's event included an estimated 880 gallons and 2,640 pounds of pesticides, 220 large propane tanks and 1,320 small tanks. In addition, 330 gallons and 165 pounds of corrosive acids were collected, along with quantities of mercury.

Commissioner of the Department of Environment and Planning Thomas Hersey said, "Participants in these collection events are glad to have a place to bring these products and realize the importance of protecting the environment with responsible disposal. Working with the Northeast Southtowns Solid Waste Management Board and our other partners, we are helping homeowners to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their property by removing potentially hazardous household waste."

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