Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

JOHNSTON, R.I. -- The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation will hold a special Eco-Depot collection in Woonsocket on Saturday, May 30 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Woonsocket Department of Public Works, 1117 River St.

Eco-Depot is a free household hazardous waste collection program for Rhode Island residents. To reduce waiting time, appointments are mandatory. To schedule an appointment, go to www.rirrc.org and click on the Eco-Depot logo on the right hand side of the page. Or, call 942-1430 x241.

The most common hazardous items disposed via Eco-Depot are:

· fluorescent light bulbs - both compact and traditional versions

· automotive fluids such as antifreeze, gasoline, and motor oil

· used motor oil filters

· oil-based paints and stains, varnish

· turpentine and thinner

· propane gas tanks - all sizes

· pesticides, weed killers, fertilizers

· mercury thermometers and thermostats

· kerosene and lamp oil

· swimming pool, photographic and hobby chemicals

"None of these products should be mixed with regular trash," said Mike OConnell, executive director of Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation. "Understanding that this collection program needs to be accessible, Resource Recovery schedules special collections throughout the state. We hope that people living in the northern Rhode Island area will use this opportunity to rid their homes of hazardous waste at this convenient Woonsocket location."

Household hazardous waste contains chemicals that are toxic, corrosive, and can easily catch on fire or explode when mixed with other substances. Most homes have numerous hazardous products stored in the basement, garage, kitchen, bathroom, and shed. The unused contents of these products are known as "household hazardous waste."

To find out which products might be hazardous, look for caution instructions on the label. Usually, if a product has a caution label, it's hazardous. If not disposed of properly, these products pose a threat to human health and to the environment, can harm septic systems, leach into drinking-water wells, and even degrade the quality of Rhode Island's shoreline.

For more information about household hazardous waste and to review a longer list of accepted items, go to rirrc.org.

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