Bredesen Announces Nearly $1.3 Million in Grants for Household Hazardous Waste Facilities

Nashville, Tenn. – Governor Phil Bredesen and Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke have announced three $425,000 grants, one each for the cities of Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Metro Nashville.  The grants will assist in the continuing operation and maintenance of those communities’ permanent household hazardous waste facilities over the next five years.

“I’m pleased we’re able to provide these grants for facilities that have such direct benefits to their communities,” said Bredesen.  “Providing permanent locations for the safe disposal of potentially hazardous materials helps people keep their homes safe and helps prevent pollution to ground and water sources.”

The city of Memphis will also become eligible for a $425,000 five-year household hazardous waste operation and maintenance grant when its new permanent collection facility is completed in December 2007.

The average home in Tennessee produces 20 pounds of household hazardous waste each year.  Examples of items that are accepted at household hazardous waste collection sites include cleaning fluids, batteries, mercury thermometers, swimming pool chemicals and unwanted pesticides.

“Some of the materials we use in the course of our everyday lives can be hazardous to our health and environment if not handled and disposed of properly,” said Fyke.  “These grants help keep Tennessee’s permanent household hazardous waste collection facilities running, and in addition, the Department of Environment and Conservation operates free mobile household hazardous waste collection events across Tennessee for those areas that do not have access to a permanent facility.”

The Tennessee General Assembly provides for household hazardous waste assistance through the Solid Waste Management Act of 1991.  Grants are supported from the Tennessee Solid Waste Management Fund administered by the Department of Environment and Conservation.  The fund receives its revenues from a tipping fee surcharge on each ton of solid waste disposed in Class I landfills and from a pre-disposal fee on new tires sold in the state.

For more information on Environment and Conservation’s Household Hazardous Waste program, visit the Web site at www.tdec.net/swm/hhw/.