A weekly column by Duncan Watson, solid waste coordinator for the city of Keene, N.H.
With tips by Charles R. "Charlie" Beauregard, a longtime Swanzey, N.H. planning board member.
Keene, NH-4/22/98- Basically there are three types of hazardous waste generator classifications: Large quantity generators, Small quantity generators, and Household hazardous waste.
Large quantity generators, defined as generating more than 220 pounds of hazardous waste or 2.2 pounds of acutely hazardous waste per month, are regulated through a cradle to grave manifest system per the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) administered by the State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Large quantity generators are being handled adequately through the existing system whereby the generators are responsible for arranging collection, transportation and disposal.
Small quantity generators, defined as generating less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste or 2.2 pounds of acutely hazardous waste per month, are regulated through a cradle to grave manifest system per RCRA administered by the NHDES and the EPA. It is difficult to assess if small quantity generators are being handled adequately thorough the existing system. Small quantity generators are responsible for arranging collection, transportation and disposal; however, many businesses such as painting contractors, photography studios and other service businesses are either not aware of the regulations or find the process of compliance too cumbersome.
Many times these small quantity generators will participate in household hazardous waste collections despite the fact that they are technically prohibited from participating under the terms of the City's collection permit. The City explored getting a permit to accept small quantity generator waste as part of the permanent household hazardous waste collection; however, the existing regulatory structure precludes the City from collecting small quantity generator waste in an efficient, economical and convenient manner.
The City is working with NHDES to address the regulatory issues preventing efficient, economical and convenient collection, but the process could take several years. For anyone brave enough to tackle the regulatory issues that prevent effective hazardous waste collection there would be fodder for Dilbert comic strips for years. If it wasn't such a serious issue there would be a lot of humor in it.
Household hazardous waste will be collected through scheduled collections at the permanent household hazardous waste facility. Collections are scheduled for April 25th, May 9th, May 23rd and June 13th. This newspaper will feature advertisements prior to the collections with information about the collections, who can participate and the types of items that can be disposed. Frequent collections combined with education and awareness training will provide a reasonable outlet for this segment of the waste stream.
For our valued drop off customers, please help us by placing only brush on the brush pile and compost on the compost pile. If you are unsure what goes where please ask, we are happy to help.
Design of the permanent household hazardous waste facility is complete. A permit application has been submitted and construction is expected to begin in early April. The facility will be on-line in the summer.
Note: Charlie says "Plastic shopping bags are the primary constituent of windblown litter. Make the switch to cloth bags."
Duncan Watson is the solid waste coordinator for the Keene Public Works Department.
Swanzey, NH