Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in each District

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Don Zimmerman
Posts: 168
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2015 11:05 am

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in each District

Post by Don Zimmerman »

As a member of the Open Space, Environment & Sustainability Committee; I request that we add the following topic to the committee agenda: In order to help increase proper disposal of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), the City of Austin should have a remote HHW Collection Day at least one Saturday a month and have it rotate to each of the 10 City Council districts at least once a year.

The City of Austin HHW Facility (http://austintexas.gov/hhw) is located in south central Austin and allows residents to safely dispose hazardous waste. It is open Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday: 7 a.m. - Noon. This is a good resource, but it is difficult for some residents to get to.

The facility collects items such as:
• Fluorescent bulbs
• Batteries (car and household)
• Cell phones
• Cleaners
• Automotive fluids
• Oil filters
• Paint and thinners
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Photographic chemicals
• Mercury
• Aerosol cans
• Pool chemicals
• Cooking oil
• Outdoor grill propane cylinders

On the roving HHW Collection Days, could we also look at including services like proper disposal of medications and paper shredding?

We need to determine what the cost and any potential issues would be to implement this type of program. In order to keep costs low, could volunteers be used or could we give the city Staff Monday off for working on the Saturday?

Are other Council Members interested in the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day idea?
Don Zimmerman
Council Member District 6 (northwest Austin)
Ann Kitchen
Posts: 294
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2015 4:04 pm

Re: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in each Distric

Post by Ann Kitchen »

I am also interested, particularly for medications - perhaps there is an opportunity to collaborate with pharmacies / medical offices. And we would need to understand the costs. I look forward to the discussion
Ann Kitchen
Council Member District 5
Don Zimmerman
Posts: 168
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2015 11:05 am

Re: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in each Distric

Post by Don Zimmerman »

Current questions regarding “Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day” in each District

Cost:
• What is the estimated additional annual cost to hold this type of program?
o Could a cost breakdown be provided?
• How many employees do you estimate would be needed for the Saturday event?
• Would these employees have flexible hours (i.e. give them a Monday off so they can work on the Saturday without incurring overtime)?
• Should the city ask for volunteers to help with the program?
• What equipment will be needed (trailers, trucks, etc.)?
o Does the city already have these assets that could be used?

Locations/Dates:
• Does staff have any recommended locations (libraries, fire stations, other COA facilities, etc.)?
• Does staff have a recommended district rotation preference (District 1 in May; District 10 in June; etc.)?
• Given the current schedule of events throughout the City of Austin, are there recommended weekends to do this program?
o Since there are 12 months and only 10 Districts, would 2 months in the year be skipped?
o If so, which months should be skipped?

Additional types of disposal:
• What would be required to include proper disposal of medications?
• What would be required to include paper shredding?

Other:
• Are there any concerns/issues that staff have in implementing this program?
Don Zimmerman
Council Member District 6 (northwest Austin)
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