New Haven Independent

Posted by: J. Hart | November 28, 2007 10:26 AM

Way to go, Ceder Hill Resident. I've been trying to dispose of a number of hazardous products in a responsible manner for some time now and have found it very difficult to do in New Haven. Of course I understand that these services cost money and that we have other more pressing concerns. But it's good to see this type of useful and important information put before the public. I hope that you'll keep us all posted.

Also, can you post the URL of the hazardous waste deposit schedule? Many thanks.

Posted by: on whalley | November 28, 2007 1:05 PM

I wonder how many people in this city have no clue there even is a hazardous waste center? Let alone their schedule. Seems like every Spring I have a few 5 gallon pails of used motor oil, some miscellaneous containers of various chemicals and a cardboard box of batteries and light bulbs.

Time and again I watch the pile grow over Winter and ask myself "why not just toss it in the trash?"

For all the money and time this city spends on the ... trash pickup you'd think they would at the very least have the hazmat facility open year round.

Maybe cut back on some of the pointless street sweeping to free up some cash? Maybe if they didn't spend to pick up everyone's trash they could afford to staff a 24 hour 365 day dump/hazmat facility we could get off our lazy rears and go to once a week or so or at least one that was open past October and before May?

Like I only change my oil half the year? I only do maintenance work half the year? What is there to do in the cold dark Winter evenings besides fix equipment?

I know, the city can charge us on top of the cost of regular trash pickup and even fine us for various things. How's that New Haven? A chance to milk some more revenue out of us! How can you pass it up? Maybe next year we can get an even 10 $300K heated bus stops?

Posted by: pedro | November 28, 2007 1:08 PM

Yes, I've found that the easiest way to dispose of fluorescent bulbs and alkaline batteries responsably is to just truck them over to IKEA when I have enough.
One of my concerns with CFLS is that most people don't know that you CANT throw them out in normal garbage. The city should at least have a drop off bin, like IKEA does, or at least encourage other retailers to do the same.

Posted by: Kevin Aries | November 28, 2007 3:03 PM

This is great what you are doing.

I am a journalist and would be interested in speaking more with you about this topic.

Please contact me at Kevin.Aries@quinnipiac.edu!

Posted by: cedarhillresident | November 28, 2007 4:14 PM

J. Hart
This is the city site that addresses it.
http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/PublicWorks/recycling/index.asp

Friends and I had been talking about how we had some broken bulbs already....(suppose to last how many years?) and they had asked, well now how do we get rid of them. Which was a really vaild question...I of course knew the answer....but did everyone else?? That concerned me.
Some ideas that are possible, maybe a container at recycle center so it can be a year long drop off. And Laurie at Haz-waste also suggested maybe doing a bit of advertising on it. But at this point it is not a real problem but in a year or two when all these homes that proudly use these bulbs have them start dieing out...they will be thrown in the trash...not good.

Roland will be getting an e-mail from me and I have already talked to my Alder-elect about it. I will e-mail a few more by weeks end. And I am going to Mayors night out tonight for other things I may see if anyone there has ideas.

Posted by: Chris Gray | November 29, 2007 3:02 AM

CEDARHILLRESIDENT, glad to hear about IKEA.

I have a dead bulb under my desk that I have been saving for numerous months. When I replaced it, I looked at the packaging for the new bulb, which had a website to find a disposal location, but it linked to the state, I think, and really did not provide anything understandable.

The thing about the dead bulb, it was in a lamp abandoned, bulb and all, by a roommate NINE years before it expired. I don't know how long he had the bulb before that.

This is a lamp I have often had lit all night. (You may note that many of my postings are time-stamped well into the AM hours, since my illness often leaves me unable to sleep.)

Anyway, sorry folks, the NH Recycling Coalition should have gone well beyond just the blue bin program because this HazMat situation is just unconscionable.

Thanks for your good work.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | November 29, 2007 12:32 PM

Well I spoke to John at PW and another man from PW that deals with environmental issues, last night at Mayor's night. They said that they would look into it? (not sure what that means). Allan my new alder has a meet up with Roland this week and I asked he to bring it up and see what his thoughts are on it.

Posted by: Bruce | November 29, 2007 1:43 PM

I bring my waste motor oil and other fluids to Pep Boys in Hamden for free disposal. I think they take up to 5 quarts per month.

2301 DIXWELL AVE, HAMDEN, CT
Tel: 203-281-4441).

Some AutoZone stores and some service stations will probably accept it as well -- just call ahead if you're not sure. They don't take all fluids so also call ahead if it's something other than oil (brake fluid, etc).