BURLINGTON, Vt. -- State and local officials are reminding residents affected by Tropical Storm Irene that as they clean up their homes and remove flood-damaged material, they need to be aware of potentially hazardous wastes and dispose of them correctly.
Residents that have been affected by flooding need to separate Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries and pesticides. Other products that contain corrosive, toxic, flammable or reactive ingredients, such as bleach and ammonia, are also considered HHW.
Mud left by floodwater may contain chemicals from sources as varied as garden chemicals to the oven cleaner stored in the kitchen. It is important to clean and disinfect everything touched by floodwaters as quickly as possible.
Renters and homeowners should assume that anything touched by floodwater is contaminated and will have to be disinfected or thrown away. Discard any household goods, such as wall coverings, rugs and furniture that may be contaminated with mold and other toxins and can't be disinfected. When in doubt, throw it out.
"Improper disposal of household hazardous waste may further threaten the quality of drinking water supplies and the environment," said Mike Nalipinski, Lead On-Scene Coordinator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "EPA is asking homeowners to take household hazardous waste to the nearest appropriate waste station to prevent potential threats to human health as well as additional impacts to drinking water systems."
Following is a list of EPA-approved hazard household waste sites:
So. Burlington
For Chittenden County residents and business only
1011 Airport Parkway
South Burlington, VT
Residents: W,T, F 8am-2pm, Sat 8am-3:30pm
Businesses: Tues only, by appointment only
Middlebury
1223 Rt. 7 South
Middlebury, VT
M-F 8am-2:30pm
Rutland City
(Near high school)
14 Gleason Rd
Rutland, VT
M-F 7am-3pm
Rutland Town
(EPA Location)
Post Rd Extension
Rutland, VT (Near Northwood Park)
Saturday 9/10 8am-4pm, Sunday 9/11 8am-4pm
Hartford
2590 N. Hartland Rd.
White River Junction, VT
M-Sat 8am-2pm
Brattleboro
347 Old Ferry Rd
Brattleboro, VT
M-F 8am-3pm, Sat 8am-12noon
Bennington
Houghton Lane
Bennington, VT
Th 8am-1pm, Fri 8am-3pm, Sat 8am-3pm
Londonderry
7060 Rt 100
Londonderry, VT
9/8 10am-3:30pm, 9/9 10am -3:30pm, 9/10 9am-1pm
Bethel
Town Transfer station 107
9/10 7am-1pm, 9/11 8am-4pm, 9/13 7am-3pm, 9/15 7am-3pm, 9/16 7am-3pm,
Hancock
Fire Station
Taylor Middle Rd
Hancock, VT
*Drop of station open through 9/13 8am-4pm
Rochester
*Contact local town official for location and times of operation.
Castleton
Staso Road, Castelton, VT
9/10, 8am-11:30am
Poultney
Hillside Drive
Poultney, VT
9/10, 1 2:30pm-3:30pm
Sudbury
Williams Lane
Sudbury, VT
9/17 130-3pm
Tinmouth
537 Route 140
Tinmouth, VT
9/17 8am-9:30am
Benson
Old North Lake Road
Benson, VT
9/17 11am-12:30pm
Wallingford
Waldo Lane
Wallingford, VT
9/24, 8am-10:30am
Clarendon
Route 7B
Clarendon, VT
9/24 11am-1pm
Lyndonville
224 Church Street
Lyndonville, VT
9/24 8am-3pm
*Please call for an appointment on days other than 9/24, 802-626-3532
Electronic waste, or "e-waste," such as computers and certain other appliances, should be bro...