Richton Park Village President Rick Reinbold, at left, and MWRD President Kathleen Meany welcome area residents to the household hazardous waste collection event .
Press release from MWRD Public Affairs:
Illinois residents filled their vehicles with 10,000 pounds of aerosols, flammable liquids, antifreeze, paint and other household hazardous waste and brought the products to a special collection held at Rich South High School in Richton Park, IL recently.
The materials were collected during a special event coordinated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association, Village of Richton Park, and the Rich Township High School District 227. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) provided general assistance and staff support before and during the event.
MWRD President Kathleen Meany and Commissioner Kari Steele and Richton Park Village President Rick Reinbold were onsite to survey participants. The data collected is used to assess and quantify the impact of the event.
“Household hazardous waste products are routinely used to clean, maintain vehicles, and gardens, but they are harmful to the environment,” said Pres. Meany. “It’s a good practice to only purchase the amount needed so less materials need to be stored or disposed.”
“By taking advantage of household hazardous waste events and disposing of materials in an environmentally-responsible way, we are growing earth healthy practices,” said Pres. Reinbold.
IEPA‘s household hazardous waste contractor is Heritage Environmental Services (HES). According to Steve Elkhatib, HES manager, other types of hazardous materials collected included used oil, solid and liquid pesticides, acids, bases, oxidizers and fluorescent lamps.
“Illinois residents are highly encouraged to take advantage of these types of events because it benefits them and the environment,” said Elkhatib. “Residents can be assured that the products are being properly disposed of by reclamation, recycling, energy recovery or incineration at permitted facilities.”
Additional information about local household hazardous waste collections can be found by visiting http://www.epa.state.il.us/land/hazardous-waste/household-haz-waste/hhwc-schedule.html.