By Blake Haas
BLOOMINGTON – In a change from years past, the Ecology Action Center in McLean County is not asking for donations for household hazardous waste collection this year.
However, the organization is holding a waste collection day on Oct. 9, with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency covering most of the costs.
The collection event will be held at the Interstate Center in Bloomington from 8:00 a.m. until 3 p.m.
“One of the most common inquiries that we get on a daily basis is about the proper disposal of hazardous waste. We are the local solid waste agency, among other things. So we’re one’s who try to coordinate this for the community as frequently as possible,” said Michael Brown, Executive Director of the EAC. “Normally, we’re on an every other year collection schedule due to limited funding, but an improvement from in the past where (there were) several years in between collection events. But, this year we’re very lucky and excited to announce we have received support from the Illinois EPA.
Brown said with the help of the Illinois EPA, the collection is open to any Illinois resident.
“By definition, we are talking about things that are corrosive, explosive, flammable, reactive, or otherwise toxic. These are things like oil-based paints, automotive fluids like motor oil, antifreeze, yard care chemicals, pesticides, insecticides, fertilizer, pool chemicals, harsh cleaning products, mercury-containing items, acids, pharmaceuticals, the list goes on and on and on.”
The collection is free to the public; however, the center is encouraging those participating to schedule an appointment by noon on Oct. 8.
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].
