Reduction and Proper Management of Household Hazardous Wastes at Wright-Patterson AFB

The used oil collection point at the base Recycling Center has been and continues to be a non-authorized collection point for unwanted household hazardous wastes (HHW). In the past, the Office of Environmental Management (EM) has spent compliance dollars to dispose of the improperly dropped off HHW. In Jan 02, after explaining how the HHW is improperly dropped off at the Recycling Center, along with the fact that the base pays solid waste generation fees to the county, EM established an agreement with the local county solid waste district to dispose of the HHW at no cost to the base.

The county currently has a HHW daily drop-off program where county residents can drop off HHW at no cost. The county will accept the following household hazardous materials on a daily basis: vehicle batteries, motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, paints, aerosol paint cans, thinners, strippers, stains, varnishes, household batteries, electronic equipment and fluorescent lights. The county also sponsors quarterly special HHW collection days where residents can drop off pool chemicals, household cleaners, photographic chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, gasoline, kerosene, gas cans, propane cylinders and fire extinguishers.

The EM Office has educated base employees and residents to take their HHW to their respective counties, and NOT to drop it off at the base Recycling Center. EM has posted on its website (http://www.abwem.wpafb.af.mil/EM/hazmat/index.cfm?fuseaction=main&obj_id=76) links to the surrounding 5 counties who have established programs for their residents to dispose of HHW at no cost.

The HHW that is dropped off at the Recycling Center is packaged and transported to the county by EM personnel on a quarterly basis. By utilizing the county's HHW program, EM saves approximately $4700/year in disposal costs.

Information on Wright Patterson Air Force Base's environmental program can be obtained through Mr. Chris J. Tumbusch, Christopher.Tumbusch@wpafb.af.mil, or (937) 257-2184 x216.

December 2002