North Oakland Household Hazardous Waste Program Has Record Year

The North Oakland Household Hazardous Waste (NO HAZ)
Consortium finished up the 2007 program with record-breaking numbers.Over 226,000 pounds of Household Hazardous Waste were collected at three events throughout the year. The final event, held on October 20 at the Eagle Valley Recycle and Disposal Facility in Orion Township, was attended by 976 participants. In all, collection increased by 123 percent and participation grew by 58 percent, making the 2007 program the most successful to date.

“The increase in participation certainly shows that more people are becoming aware of the program and want to dispose of their household hazardous waste in an environmentally sound manner,” said Whitney Calio, Environmental Program Coordinator. “The numbers send a strong signal to the communities that residents view this as an important and needed program.”

NO HAZ is a consortium of 11 Oakland County communities, representing 15 local governments that offer residents a safe and environmentally responsible way to dispose of household hazardous waste. Its goal is to provide residents with a regular, reliable and easily accessible collection service. In five years, residents from almost 9,000 households have participated in the program and over half a million pounds of hazardous materials have been collected and recycled or properly disposed of. 

While there is no charge to residents, donations are accepted. These donations go to off-set the costs the communities pay for the program. In addition, some donations are used to sponsor the annual poster contest for  member community elementary schools.  “People are very generous with the donations” said Calio

Items collected at the NO HAZ events include: oil based paints and stains, motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline, kitchen and bath cleaners and polishes, mercury and mercury thermometers, aerosols, pesticides, herbicides and computer and electronic equipment.  Latex paint is not accepted.  Latex paint can be dried to a solid and then thrown out with the trash.  Kitty litter, sawdust or waste paint hardener can be added to speed up this process.  For a more comprehensive list of accepted materials, or for additional disposal information, visit the NO HAZ website at www.nohaz.com, or call the NO HAZ Hotline at 248-858-5656.