1997-05-01_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

A ~\ ;t®I'I71 I'alri WaI'erieSS ~TOjeCt s 3r is 1y a.c s ~['si s Motor OiI, Cleaning Solvents, Paint Thinner, Gasoline roblem: When poured down the gut- ter or storm drain, this material trav- els to our rivers, lakes and wetlands where it damages or kills underwater vegetation and aquatic Life. One quart of oiI can contaminate up to 2 million gal- lons of drinking water or create an 8-acre oil slick. olution: Put used motor oil in a stur- dy container, such as a plastic milk jug, and take it to your local service sta- tion that regularly changes oil. Remember not to mix your oil with any other substance! The remainder should be recycled or stored until there is haz- ardous waste collection dav. Antifreeze roblem: Antifreeze is a highly toxic chemical. It is poisonous to people,as w•e11 as to fish, birds and pets. olution: Save old antifreeze for a household hazardous waste collection dav. Paint roblem: Many paint products harm people, animals and the environment ~~•hen improperly used or thrown out. olution:Donate unused paint (but not lead paint) to community groups, schools, local theatres or other interested orga~ation. For small quantities of latex or water-based paints, remove the top and allow the paint to dry. Save oil-based paints for a household hazardous waste collection day. Yard Waste roblem: When lefr in the gutter or dumped into storm. drains, yard wastes may create major problems. Once in the water, yard wastes decompose rapidly, adding excessive nutrients which are detrimental to aquatic life. Yard wastes also clog storm drains, rendering them ineffecive and causing localized flooding. olution: Instead of throwing your yard clippings away, compost them. Use the compost to condition your soil. Plastics roblem: Plastic and foam containers wash into storm drains. They do not decompose. Plastics kill wildlife in two ways -animals eat these materials or become entangled in them. olution: Minimize your use of plas- tic products and make sure that plastics get recycled or properly put into the trash. If you see plastic litter, pick it up so that it does not get washed or blown into storm drains, gutters, streams and lakes.