Household-hazardous waste collections coming up

BY ELYSE AMEND

elyse.amend@transcontinental.ca

Used batteries, near-empty paint cans, and old cleaning products are just some of the things that tend to clutter up

household cupboards and drawers as time goes on.

If you’re planning on tidying up, keep this in mind: every year, Canadians incorrectly dispose of about 27,000 tonnes of household hazardous waste (HHW) by pouring it down the drain and into the sewer system, or letting it sit in a landfill by throwing it out with the garbage.

Twice a year, municipalities on the Island of Montreal organize HHW collection days to minimize the effect such waste has on the environment. In August, West Islanders will have two opportunities to get rid of their HHW: in Kirkland this Saturday and in Dorval on Aug. 31.

If you can’t make it for the HHW collection dates, there are other options. Eco Quartiers around the Island of Montreal accept HHW on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. There are some businesses who accept certain types of HHW as well:

— Canadian Tire stores accept used oil and car batteries.

— Most pharmacies will accept expired drug prescriptions.

— Municipal drop-offs and some RONA stores accept paint leftovers. Visit www.eco-peinture.ca for a complete list of drop-off locations.

— Any Montreal fire station will take in rechargeable batteries and old cellphones.

“It’s for the environment. More and more, we’re looking for ways to take better care of the environment,” said Sebastien Gauthier, communications officer for the City of Dorval. “This is one way, because hazardous waste is really damaging the environment.”

Kirkland’s HHW collection will take place this Saturday at the municipal garage, 25 Claude-Jodoin St., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Dorval’s will be on Aug. 31 at Ballantyne Park, 520 Bouchard Blvd., from 12 to 8 p.m.?

Residents can drop off their:

- leftover latex or oil paint

- used motor oil

- alkaline (AAA to D), rechargeable, and automobile batteries

- cleaning products

- solvents

- pesticides

- pool chlorine

- expired drug products

- adhesive products, epoxy, or dyes

- aerosol products

- propane cylinders

Containers of more than five gallons, tires, syringes, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) contaminated waste, firearms, munitions, flairs, and other explosives, however, will not be accepted.