EPA Household Hazardous Waste Collection Update

Release Date: January 6, 2003 Release Number: 1446-21

» Super Typhoon Pongsona

Dededo, Guam -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials are reminding residents of the two-day collection of household hazardous waste. EPA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Guam Environmental Protection Agency are jointly sponsoring the collection.

The collection will take place Saturday, January 11 and Sunday, January 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at the typhoon debris transition stations in Dededo (next to the Guam Sports Complex along Harmon Loop Road), Tiyan (east side past the Department of Motor Vehicles building), and Malojloj (close to the Mayor's office).

Household chemicals can be found in most kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, sheds, and garages. Materials being collected include aerosol cans; paints, thinners, solvents and varnishes (limit 5 gallons per household); coolants; pesticides; caustic cleaning compounds, toilet and sink cleaners; kitchen cleaners; fluorescent light bulbs; Ni-Cad/Dry-Cell/Lithium batteries; and automotive batteries (limit 3 per household). The collection is limited to residential hazardous materials generated by the typhoon only; no business or government waste will be accepted.

Typhoon-damaged household chemicals, improperly handled, may pose a threat to safety and well being. Disposed of improperly, they can contribute to groundwater contamination or adversely affect sewage treatment systems by destroying microorganisms required for the treatment process.

Household chemicals that may pose a threat to public health and the environment can be identified by several container warning labels such as "DANGER," "CAUTION," "POISON," "WARNING," "FLAMMABLE," "TOXIC," "HAZARDOUS," or "KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN."

For more detailed information, contact Guam EPA at 475-1658 or 475-1659.