Hundreds safely dispose of household hazardous waste, old tires

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Orleans County DPW (Buildings and Grounds and Highway Departments) collected more than 1,000 tires today during the annual household hazardous waste collection day at the County DPW. The top photo shows Andy Beach in a loader for the DPW, moving the pile of tires.

The county will pay Modern Disposal Services to remove the tires. An exact count of the disposed of tires wasn’t available but county officials believe it topped the 1,200 from a year ago.

County residents claimed 570 slots to dispose of household hazardous waste. Propane tanks and fluorescent bulbs were popular items for residents to unload at the collection event, said Corey Winters, a planner with Orleans County Department of Planning and Development. That department manages the annual event in August.

This photo shows one of five boxes full of old propane tanks.

Employees from Environmental Enterprises, Inc. of Cincinnati wrap up the collection event today. The county typically pays the company about $18,000 to collect and remove the household hazardous waste, with the state them reimbursing the county about half of the costs.

Household chemical and items that can be discarded include: oil-based paints solvents, polishes/waxes pesticides, motor oil & filters adhesives & resins, fluorescent bulbs, auto tires (limit 10), auto & marine batteries, household batteries, aerosols, acids, corrosives, antifreeze and empty propane tanks.

County officials say the collection day for tires has resulted in far fewer being discarded in countryside ditches and over embankments.