FORT MCPHERSON, Ga. --Soldiers and Civilian employees supporting the military can receive rewards for going above and beyond the call of duty. While no awards will be given for turning in hazardous household waste between 10 a.m. and noon today at Jacob's Park on Fort McPherson, those who turn in items can leave with the satisfaction of knowing they excelled in doing their part to save the environment.
"Rules different for individual household and federal installations because the Environmental Protection Agency can't track all households," said Owen Nuttal, chief of the Base Realignment and Closure Environmental Office, explaining the federal hazardous waste law that exempts homeowners from properly disposing of household waste that is chemically hazardous.
Although exempt, it makes sense to do the right thing and dispose of the chemicals properly, Nuttal said. Merely throwing hazardous waste away or dumping it down the drain can cause many problems, especially if the chemicals get into the water table, he explained.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which provides the EPA's guidelines on controlling hazardous waste disposal, lists many objects used in everyone's homes that contain hazardous chemicals. Some of these objects include solvents, cleaning supplies, pesticides, herbicides, nail polish remover and light bulbs, Owen said. Alkaline batteries in electronics, car and computer batteries are also hazardous as they contain lead and magnesium.
Since RCRA requires federal installations to dispose of their waste according to EPA guidelines, the Environmental Office staff is offering the same opportunity to the military community for Earth Day, Nuttal said.
"It is just more environmentally wise," Nuttal said of having people turn in their waste.
It has also proved economically feasible for the installation, Nuttal explained, describing how recycling hazardous material and reducing materials, such as light bulbs that contain mercury with green-tip lights, saves the posts nearly $15,000 in disposal fees a year.
Though exempt, it makes sense to do the right thing and dispose of the chemicals properly, Nuttal said. Merely throwing hazardous waste away or dumping it down the drain can cause many problems, especially if the chemicals get into the water table, he explained.
Individuals can also save money, said Heather Hawkins, an Environmental Office specialist.
"Normally, curbside pickup doesn't accept things like paint. This is a good way to get rid of stuff that accumulates in your garage for free," she said.
Nuttal said individuals who miss the turn-in can contact their local municipalities to see if they recycle hazardous material waste. The Auto Care Centers on Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem take oil from those who change their own oil for proper disposal.
If today's recycling drive is successful, future ones may be held, Hawkins said.
Social Sharing