More than 17k gallons of waste disposed of on 2 Lakes Region household hazardous waste days

Dozens of volunteers and municipal staff gathered recently at eight different sites across the Lakes Region to assist with the safe collection of household hazardous waste (HHW). One thousand five hundred fifty-eight Lakes Region residents disposed of more than 17,000 gallons of wastes, ensuring that these toxic materials will not enter our groundwater or soils. More than 35 tons of hazardous materials and more than 28,000 feet of fluorescent bulbs from local homes, garages, and sheds were properly disposed.

With the help of nearly twenty local and eight site coordinators along with many volunteers and municipal staff, Lakes Region residents had the opportunity to dispose of oil-based paints, pesticides, fertilizers, pool chemicals, old gas, and other toxic wastes from their households. Despite some early crowds traffic moved smoothly at most locations. One participant wrote, “Last week … I cleaned out a whole bunch of rusted old paint cans and stuff out of the cellar. We took it to Meredith for the Hazardous Waste collection day. I was dreading the lines and the hassle. Boy, was I very pleasantly surprised. It could not have been any more organized and so simple. In and out in under five minutes.”

These annual collections are funded by local communities and the NH Department of Environmental Services (NH DES) and coordinated by the Lakes Region Planning Commission (LRPC).

This was also the second year of an Unwanted Medications Collection sponsored by the Gilford Police Department and School District. Located in Gilford, it was open to all residents and homeowners in the participating Lakes Region communities.

Lakes Region residents and homeowners are encouraged to learn more about how to reduce their use of hazardous household products by visiting the LRPC website www.lakesrpc.org where there is information on Alternatives to HHW. If you do still have hazardous products in your home that you wish to dispose of, the Lakes Region Household Hazardous Product Facility in Wolfeboro will be open September 19 and October 17 from 8:30 - noon (Call 569-5826 or 651-7530 for details.). Anyone willing to assist with the planning of the 2010 HHW collections should contact LRPC at 279-8171.