WCOM NEWS
2-29-04
Hazardous waste collection nets large turnout in Miramar
MIRAMAR--Cleaners, used oil, paint, pool chemicals and
pesticides were just a few of the potentially toxic materials Miramar residents
brought to Silver Shores Park on a recent Sunday.
The Broward County collection effort drew a crowd twice as large as last year,
despite the fact that weekly Saturday collections take place throughout the
county. Glancing at his watch beneath a blue plastic glove, Luis Ferrer, senior
specialist for Broward's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program, noted the
success.
"By 12, it's broken last year's record," he said.
Moving rusty propane tanks and used batteries, Ferrer hypothesized on the reason
for the high turnout, at least in his section.
"Last year they put in a special element in propane tanks, an overfill
propane valve. People want to get rid of the old ones," he said.
A steady stream of more than 400 cars moved quickly through the no-frills
process of residence verification, collection and categorization of items.
"The purpose of the event is to keep these type of materials out of
landfills and incinerators where they could infect the environment through heavy
metals contamination. It's also safety for garbage collectors," said Joel
King, household hazardous waste program manager with the county's Office of
Integrated Waste Management.
Tampa-based US Liquids, a private hazardous waste disposal company, hauled away
more than 50, 55-gallon drums of material, King said.
ARC Broward, a private, nonprofit organization that supports people with
disabilities, picked up the electronic items for recycling. Old computers,
printers, televisions, laptop batteries and cell phones topped the list of
items.
Whether residents participated because Saturday collections are not an option
for them, or because they saw a flier, the reasons were almost as varied as the
items.
Miramar resident George Mersinger, 50, stopped by to dump paint, computer parts,
a VCR and old gasoline.
"With the water table being so shallow, all it takes is for a few gallons
[of paint] on the grass and it pollutes thousands of gallons of
groundwater," he said.
Ed Weaver, who recently moved to Miramar from Atlanta, unloaded as much as he
could from a storage bin filled with items.
"Stuff. Stuff. Stuff. One man's junk is another man's treasure,"
Weaver said, handing over electronics, paint, flowerpots and more before pausing
to scout for anyone who would take a wheelbarrow deemed unacceptable for the
drop-off.
Some came at the request of others, such as Miramar resident Steve Whitney, 50.
"My wife said, `Get rid of it,'" he said, only half-joking, as he
revved up his vehicle now free of old paint cans and propane gas tanks.
And there were those who showed up because they just didn't know what else to do
with the clutter. "I came with old propane tanks, things I've had for
ages," said Frank Dono, 57, of Miramar. "I've been trying to figure
out what to do with them."
Collection events take place throughout Broward every Saturday. Proof of county
residency, such as a driver's license or tax records, is the only requirement to
take advantage of the free service.
Household hazardous waste and electronic equipment can be dropped off from 8
a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays at three county sites: 5601 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd.,
Hollywood; 5490 Reese Road, Davie (limited items accepted); and 2780 N.
Powerline Road, Pompano Beach.
In addition, the county organizes remote collections one Sunday each month. The
next Sunday collection will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 28 at Cooper City
Sports Complex, 10300 Stirling Road.
(source) Sun Sentinel (Laura Burdick-Sherman) 2-29-04