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Drop-off site for hazardous wastes, large appliances
Beginning Sept. 11, 2015, on Fridays and Saturdays at old Kobler air field
A new drop-off location for household hazardous waste, large appliances (white goods), and electronics, run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in cooperation with CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, will begin on Friday, Sept. 11.
Residents can bring their household hazardous waste, white goods, and electronics damaged as a result of Typhoon Soudelor to the old Kobler air field (near As Gono green waste drop off station) on Fridays and Saturdays in September, from 9am to 5pm. EPA will also continue to collect household hazardous waste at the Lower Base Transfer Station, Monday to Saturday, 7:30am to 4pm. Once the EPA collection operations are complete, normal disposal activities will resume and residents will be responsible for the disposal of these white goods and electronics.
FEMA and the CNMI have called on the EPA to implement a program to collect and properly manage household hazardous chemicals and materials. This program is intended to collect materials damaged as a result of Typhoon Soudelor. Household hazardous waste includes cleaners, pesticides, lawn and garden products, workshop and paint supplies, automotive supplies, batteries, solvents, thermometers, fluorescent lights, and flammable products such as oil, gas and propane. Another way to identify household hazardous waste is from labels that say things like: Caution, Warning, Danger, Poison, Toxic, Flammable, or Corrosive. Improper disposal of these materials increases the risk of contaminating air, water, and soil. For example, materials placed in drains flow directly to septic tanks or sewage treatment plants or directly into the ocean, polluting the ocean and potentially harming sensitive coral reefs.
The collection area will also be accepting white goods and electronic wastes. White goods include refrigerators, freezers, air-conditioners, stoves, ovens, microwave ovens, water heaters, washers and dryers. Televisions, computers, and other electronics can also be dropped off. Residents may call CNMI BECQ at 670-664-8500 with drop-off questions. (FEMA)
