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For Additional Information Contact:
Alan Styles, Hazardous Materials/Recycling Specialist
Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority
755-1300
HAZARDOUS WASTE DROP-OFF PICKS UP!
February 3, 2004
The Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority (SVSWA) is pleased to announce
a 35% increase in the amount of household hazardous waste (HHW) collected
in 2003.
Due to increased local visibility of the facilities and the environmental
stewardship of local residents to protect their family’s health
and keep the Salinas Valley pollution-free, the Household Hazardous Waste
(HHW) collection facility on Madison Lane in Salinas serviced over 3560
customers in 2003.
Keeping hazardous materials out of the landfill protects the groundwater
and further reduces potential pollution liability. Last year, Salinas
Valley residents recycled over 1,150 gallons of anti-freeze, 2000 pounds
of oil filters, 10,245 gallons of used motor oil and over 4,160 gallons
of paint, of which over 1,000 gallons were recycled back to the local
community.
According to Alan Styles, Hazardous Materials/Recycling Specialist for
the Authority, “We are pleased with this increase in community participation
at our facilities. The collection facilities help residents dispose of
all those chemicals used to maintain a residence, such as paints, solvents,
auto care products, pesticides and pool and spa chemicals – basically
all those items folks have stored in the garage, in the shed and under
the sink.”
The Authority also maintains A.B.O.P. (Antifreeze, car Battery, used motor
Oil and latex Paint) collection sites. These sites are conveniently located
at landfills throughout the Salinas Valley and were established to expand
the services offered by the Authority’s permanent HHW Collection
Facility.
Styles notes that the collection facility, located at Madison Lane in
Salinas, is the appropriate place to bring hazardous items that are no
longer wanted or useable and anticipates that the amount of hazardous
material collected at their facilities will increase even more in 2004.
Both the HHW Collection Facility and the A.B.O.P. sites are open year
round and are free to residents. The Collection Facility is open Tuesday
– Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. –
1 p.m. The A.B.O.P. sites are open during landfill service hours.
The Authority, formed in 1997, is a joint powers agency made up of
the cities of Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, Salinas, Soledad as well
as the eastern half of unincorporated Monterey County. They promote the
environmental health of the Salinas Valley through planning, public education
and management of an innovative solid waste system. The Authority can
be reached at 755-1300 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday or
on the web at www.svswa.org.
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