San Diegans put toxic waste in its place
More than 1.3 million pounds of household hazardous waste collected
during past five years
he latest City of San Diego Household Hazardous Materials
Program figures indicate that the proper disposal of household hazardous
waste is a high priority for many San Diegans. The city collected 335,800
pounds of household hazardous waste during fiscal year 1994-95, a 39 percent
increase over the previous fiscal year and a 78 percent increase over the
past two years.
More than 5,600 households were served by the program,
which sponsors one-day household hazardous waste collection events and auto
product recycling events at sites throughout the city.
Household hazardous waste is the leftover or unused
portion of products containing toxic chemicals. Any product labeled with
the words CAUTION, WARNING, DANGER, POISON, FLAMMABLE, CORROSIVE or REACTIVE
is considered a household hazardous material and requires special handling
and disposal.
Paint remained the most common item collected at the
city's eight household hazardous waste collection events. The program collected
151,600 pounds of water- and oil-based paints representing more than 45
percent of the wastes collected. "For the first time, the city collected
more water-based paints than oil-based paints," said Donna Skinner,
program manager. "This is encouraging because this shows San Diegans
are making their homes safe by eliminating both oil-based paint and the
solvents needed for its clean-up."
Skinner says the 335,800 pounds of wastes recovered
at city-sponsored collection events is the highest total in four years.
Ninety-four percent of the wastes collected were recycled. During the past
five years, the program has collected more than 1.3 million pounds of household
hazardous waste.
As a new service for do-it-yourself mechanics, in fiscal
year 1994-95 the city introduced auto product recycling events, accepting
used oil, oil filters, antifreeze and auto batteries. These events helped
to nearly double the amount of used oil collected at city-sponsored events.
A total of 2,920 gallons of oil and 300 pounds of oil filters was collected
at the city's eight auto product recycling events. This new service was
possible because the city received a Used Oil Recycling Block Grant from
the California Integrated Waste Management Board.
Private collection sites, however, remained the most
popular option for those wishing to recycle used oil. Private sources working
with the city - such as Chief Auto Parts, IMS Recycling Services and Kragen
Auto Parts - combined to collect more than 1 million pounds (118,000 gallons)
of used oil. This brings the total amount collected for the year by city
and private sources to 1.3 million pounds.
The city plans to continue its collection efforts with
eight auto product recycling events and eight household hazardous waste
collection events this fiscal year. City of San Diego residents interested
in more information on auto product recycling can call the Used Oil infoline
at (619) 235-2105, and can obtain information on household hazardous waste
collection events by calling (619) 235-2111.
The City of San Diego Household Hazardous Materials
and Used Oil Programs are sponsored by the Environmental Services Department
and the Water Utilities Department with additional funding from the California
Integrated Waste Management Board.
Household Hazardous Wastes Collected in FY 1994-95
WasteVolume(lbs.)
%
Paint (water-based)80,00023.8
Paint (oil-based) & flammables71,65021.3
Used oil48,60014.5
Auto batteries28,900 8.6
Pesticides10,000 3.0
Products in spray cans8,150 2.4
Oil filters650 0.2
Cleaners and maintenance products87,85026.2
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TOTAL335,800 100.0
