NEWPORT BEACH : City Plans to Haul Hazardous Wastes

Residents harboring pesticides, paints and other toxic wastes in their homes may soon have a place to dump them.

Under a new program to reduce the amount of household hazardous waste that ends up in area landfills, city officials propose to bring in specially trained handlers to separate and haul away the hazardous materials twice a year.

Residents now must take toxic materials to transfer stations in Anaheim and Huntington Beach because city workers in Newport Beach are not trained to handle them, city General Services Director David Niederhaus said.

Residents often store unused waste materials in their homes or garages, then throw it in the trash when they move or run out of space. From there, it often ends up in landfills, where toxics seep into underground water supplies.

The city’s proposal, which was filed with the state Integrated Waste Management Board last month as part of a grant application, calls for two collection days a year in central parts of the city for residents to dump the least of 5 gallons or 5 pounds of household hazardous waste.

The collection program would be the first step in the city’s state-mandated long-term plan to handle household hazardous waste, which must be filed with the state by July.

City officials requested $95,000 in state funds to hire trained workers to handle the waste and publicize the $107,000 program.

Niederhaus said mailings also will include educational information on how to reduce hazardous waste by using alternatives. One example involves using vinegar and water instead of commercial glass-cleaning solutions.

The city has agreed to pick up the $12,000 balance for planning and organization of the program.

Niederhaus said planning is essential because convenience and consistency are the keys to keeping hazardous waste out of landfills.

“If we don’t make it convenient, people will just continue to throw it in the trash,” he said.

He said he expects to know by next month how much, if any, of the requested funds the city will receive from the state. The City Council will then have to decide to kick in more money or apply again for the state grant next year.

Niederhaus said the first collection could be as soon as June.