Pennsylvania Awards Grants to Boost Hazardous Waste Collection

Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty awarded four pollution-prevention grants totaling $68,279 to reimburse local governments 50 percent of the cost associated with developing and operating household hazardous waste collection events.

“If carelessly managed, household hazardous waste can create environmental and public health hazards,” Secretary McGinty said. “Hazardous materials used in the home are not regulated as hazardous waste and often get thrown away with other more common household wastes, creating the potential for harmful vapors, chemical spills, fires and even explosions, endangering waste haulers and the public.”

Local governments, private organizations and trade associations sponsor collection events so the materials can be reused, recycled or properly disposed of at permitted hazardous waste facilities. Municipalities receiving the grants include:

Montgomery County – $57,870 for four collection events in 2004.

Dauphin County – $3,913 for curbside collection in December 2003.

Halifax Borough, Dauphin County – $695 for tire collection in May 2004.

Lebanon County – $5,801 for tire collection between September 2003 and April 2004.

So far this year the Pennsylvania DEP has awarded 22 grants totaling $389,155 for household hazardous waste collection events. In addition to financial support, DEP offers technical assistance to organizations that wish to conduct collections. Common types of materials at these collection events include paint and paint-related products, pesticides, cleaners and degreasers, tires and home electronics.