The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) today announced details of its Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program for 2007. The program will raise awareness and educate the general public about the dangers of improper disposal of household hazardous waste, while providing residents with a safe and convenient means to dispose of this waste.

"While household hazardous waste makes up a relatively small amount of the total waste generated in our province today, it poses potentially serious health and environmental risks if not managed properly," said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Environment and Conservation. "For example, it takes only a few drops of household hazardous waste to contaminate a drinking water source and each person generates more than seven litres of this waste annually."

This year�s HHW program will provide 20 collection events in 14 areas of the province: Mount Pearl, Corner Brook, Conception Bay South, Bay Roberts, Grand Falls-Windsor, Gander, Paradise, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Portugal Cove-St. Phillips, Torbay, Clarenville, Channel-Port aux Basques, Marystown, and Placentia. The City of St. John's and Labrador City/Wabush will hold their own HHW collection events in 2007. In addition, the Green Bay Waste Management Authority operates a permanent HHW collection depot for the region in which it operates.

"MMSB is pleased with the partnerships that have been formed this year with those municipalities that have offered their services to help implement this important recycling initiative," said John Scott, MMSB Chair and CEO. "We have experienced good success with the program to date, but also intend to explore new models for delivering the program that will provide residents with greater year-round access to household hazardous waste collection facilities. A number of pilot projects are presently under consideration in this regard for 2007."

The HHW program funds community collection events once or twice a year in those areas of the province where meaningful volumes of HHW waste (ranging from pesticides to leaded paint) can be diverted and recycled in a cost-effective manner. MMSB has administered the HHW program since 1998, diverting approximately 530,000 litres of HHW from landfills in the province. MMSB and the participating municipalities cost-share all expenses associated with the collection events so that the service can be made available to residents and households at no charge. Specific dates and locations for this year�s HHW collection events will be advertised locally as they are finalized. A complete schedule of collection events, as well as a detailed list of materials accepted through the program, will also be posted on MMSB�s Web site at www.mmsb.nl.ca.

In addition to providing Newfoundland and Labrador residents with safe disposal options for HHW, MMSB has produced public education guides to assist communities in developing their own programs and to provide residents with information about the safe usage and disposal of HHW. Both guides are available by contacting MMSB at 1-800-901-MMSB (6672) or online at www.mmsb.nl.ca

MMSB is a provincial Crown agency that reports to the Minister of Environment and Conservation. Its mandate is to support progressive waste management practices in the province, with a particular focus on waste diversion, recycling and public education, in order to ensure a clean and healthy environment throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

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MMSB has administered a HHW program since 1998, providing safe hazardous waste collection for participating municipalities, raising awareness among the general public of household hazardous waste issues, and helping establish progressive waste management partnerships with participating communities. This program plays an important role in reducing the amount of hazardous wastes going to waste disposal sites and since 1998, more than 530,000 litres of HHW, ranging from pesticides to leaded paint, have been collected.

It takes mere drops of household hazardous waste (HHW) to contaminate a drinking water source, and each person generates more than seven litres each year.

Problems arise when HHW users dispose of residuals down drains or storm sewers. HHW may corrode plumbing and cause failure in septic systems, and can contaminate harbours and coastal waters.

In a landfill, HHW seeps into soil and water and may be transferred to humans, pets, or wildlife that consume contaminated food or water.

When waste is burned, harmful chemicals are released into the atmosphere. These chemicals resettle or return in precipitation to both land and water.

When HHW is disposed of in regular garbage, waste workers are at risk of medical problems such as eye injuries or chemical burns. Inhaling or absorbing chemical fumes may cause temporary or permanent injury. Also, when in close proximity, certain chemicals may interact causing fires or explosions that may injure people, damage property and equipment, or result in forest fires.

Whenever possible, use a non-hazardous alternative. Environmentally friendly and safer alternatives are available for household cleaning, home improvement, and garden care.

Be a wise consumer - buy only the amount of product you need.

If you do use a hazardous product (or have any on hand), make sure to use it all or give the remainder to someone who can.

Bring HHW to a collection event or drop-off site if available in your area.

Although permanent HHW drop-off facilities are limited, there are ways that residents can safely dispose of some of their HHWs.

Some examples of potential recycling and safe disposal options are:

• Metal recyclers may accept propane cylinders; automotive lead acid batteries; empty aerosol cans (no longer under pressure); and dry, empty paint cans.
• Propane dealers may take back old propane cylinders.
• Rechargeable batteries are accepted through the Charge Up To Recycle! program. Call 1-800-8-BATTERY or visit www.rbrc.org.
• Consumers can return used lubricating, crankcase, gear oil, and transmission fluid to the point-of-purchase or designated return facilities, free of charge.
• Pharmacies may accept unwanted medications and medical sharps.

2007 05 07                                        11:00 a.m.