* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Spector
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
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Informational Hearing - Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
FOR the purpose of requesting the Director of Public Works and the Chief, Bureau of Solid Waste to brief the Council on the City's Hazardous Waste Disposal Program; the adequacy of the number, frequency, and timing of scheduled disposal days to address citizens' needs to dispose of household hazardous waste materials in a timely fashion; the possible revisions to the Hazardous Waste Drop-Off schedule to accommodate persons for whom the opportunities to dispose of waste are not conductive to compliance; and other revisions that would facilitate residents' participation in the program.
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Recitals
The Spring 2011 Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off, Saturday, April 30th at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, was announced by the Mayor and the Director of Public Works as an opportunity for Baltimore City residents to dispose of hazardous household materials such as oil-based paints, pesticides, herbicides, car and household batteries, drain cleaners, gasoline, pool chemicals, and many other items.
In addition to those items listed, residents were told to bring automotive fluids, button batteries, coal tar products, creosote products, floor care products, fungicides, furniture strippers, kerosene, laser toner cartridges, oven cleaners, paint thinners, rust removers, solvents, turpentine, vanishes and stains, weed killers, wood preservers, and straight florescent lights bulbs for disposal.
The announcement reminded residents that all hazardous materials must always be stored in a cool dry place out of the reach of all pets and children, that these materials absolutely cannot go into the trash or down a drain, and that materials must be disposed of by a reputable, licensed contractor. Residents were provided with a Recycling Processor List of private companies that may be able to provide hazardous waste disposal services for a fee.
Media accounts billed the City's Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off day as a less than stellar event. The press reported that long lines of cars - some 1,800 vehicles - inched their way through the school's parking lot, and many drivers had to wait in line over an hour. The Saturday "slog", it was said, was evidence both that Baltimore has plenty of household hazardous waste and that its system for collecting it needs improving. To wit - there was no hazardous waste collection in 2010 (some of these materials had been sitting in city basements for 2 years), and the resulting overwhelmingly response was greater than anticipated.
The City was compared to surrounding counties where residents of Howard County drop off their hazardous wastes any Saturday from April to November at the Alpha Ridge Landfill. Baltimore County residents can deposit their household hazardous wastes at the Eastern Sanitary Landfill Solid Waste Management Facility, Mondays through Saturdays, from April to November, and the county provides once-a-year drop-off days at two other facilities. Anne Arundel County has a rotating schedule of drop-off days for landfills in Glen Burnie, Sudley, and Millersville.
Clearly, providing an opportunity to dispose of household hazardous materials once every 2 years or even once a year is not sufficient to insure that Baltimore City residents properly dispose of these frequently used products. In addition, the needs of all residents are not being taken into account when disposal opportunities are restricted to Saturday - a day of religious observance to several denominations with large city membership.
Department officials confirm press reports that Baltimore, facing a fiscal crisis, is looking around for sponsors who would pay for another hazardous waste day and/or is considering charging a fee to users who utilize drop off day services. Should this be the case, as department officials consider these options, the Council requests that the need for additional sites and additional or alternative days be taken into consideration as well.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Director of Public Works and the Chief of the Bureau of Solid Waste are requested to brief the Council on the City's Hazardous Waste Disposal Program; the adequacy of the number, frequency, and timing of scheduled disposal days to address citizens' needs to dispose of household hazardous waste materials in a timely fashion; possible revisions to the Hazardous Waste Drop-Off schedule to accommodate persons for whom the opportunities to dispose of waste are not conducive to compliance; and other revisions that would facilitate residents' participation in the program.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Director of Public Works, the Chief, Bureau of Solid Waste, the Director of Finance, the Community Associations listed tin the Department of Planning Directory, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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