A half day added to this year’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection proved to be a success as employees of Carson Dorn, Inc. of Juneau and the Haines Public Works Department accepted more than 20, 55-gallon drums and four, 1,000-pound cartons of used oil, antifreeze, aerosol paints, acid batteries and other toxic waste.
There was an increase of 330 gallons of liquid waste from last year, when the event ran for a single day.
The Public Works Shop was open to accept drop-offs Friday, July 22, and half the day Saturday, July 23.
The extra half day was requested by Public Works Director Ralph Borders and approved in the budget last spring.
Steve Haavig of contractor Carson Dorn said the amount of waste received fluctuates every year, but the increase this year could be a result of a busier town, more economic activity or even weather.
“Haines has always had a really good participation,” Haavig said. “People really enjoy the opportunity to get rid of this stuff safely.”
According to Haavig’s written report to Haines Borough Manager Bill Seward, participation was at or slightly above last year’s turnout. Deliveries were slow in the mornings and steady throughout the day, but several customers came after closing despite the additional half-day.
Most of the waste from this collection was shipped to a disposal company in Tacoma, Wash., while other waste was sent to Bigfoot Auto Service in Haines or stored on site.
Carson Dorn will prepare and send an invoice to the borough to pay for the shipment and disposal of the 20 drums and four cartons. Pricing is based on the number of drums and cartons.
This was also the first year the collection was held at the new city shop. Haavig said the facility was well suited for the event.