Department of Environment & Conservation
Jim Fyke, Commissioner

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Household Hazardous Waste Program

Overview of HHW

Providing household hazardous waste collection to the citizens of Tennessee is an important and worthwhile cause. Proper disposal of HHW helps to protect the environment and sanitation workers and can reduce the toxicity of landfill leachate. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for citizens to rid their homes of potentially dangerous chemicals. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers there were almost 750,000 non-pharmaceutical accidental poisonings of children in 1998, twelve of which were fatal.

Tennessee's Mobile Collection Service is open to any Tennessee resident. The program is limited to households. Businesses, institutions, schools, and agri-business operations should contact a permitted hazardous waste transporter for proper disposal. Agri-businesses may, however, dispose of their pesticides through the Agricultural Pesticide Waste Collection Program.

Organizing and Hosting an Event

The Division of Solid Waste Management (SWM) has a policy guide for counties interested in planning an HHW Collection event. The policy guide describes the responsibilities of the State, the host county, and the

State's HHW contractor. These responsibilities are based on Federal and State laws, regulations, and policies concerning the management of HHW.

The HHW Program has established criteria for scheduling HHW events.  The State encourages local governments to provide the year-round collection of batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze, and electronics (BOPAE).  Preference for HHW collection service is given to counties that reduce the percentage of BOPAE collected at the HHW events, thereby allowing resources to be available for the collection of hazardous household materials (ie. flammable liquids, caustics, oxidizers, mercury).  The highest percent by weight of hazardous household materials collected in Tennessee in FY07-08 was 34%.  With this in mind, Tennessee has set 20% hazardous materials as the statewide goal.

In addition, counties must begin managing paint, electronic scrap, batteries, oil, and antifreeze year-round to be considered for regularly scheduled collection service.  Counties that currently manage these marginally hazardous materials year-round should promote their programs by using newspaper, radio, or other media to reduce the impact of these wastes at their mobile collection events.                                                                                        

The State pays the contractor a minimum set-up fee each time the HHW Collection Service is mobilized regardless of the participation at the event. In order to provide the most cost efficient service, the events should be well utilized. A collection event cannot be successful without advertisement. The Advertising and Public Education Guide for Household Hazardous Waste in Tennessee is available to help counties advertise effectively. Sample press releases and advertisments are available along with examples of success stories. In addition, a pre-event checklist and timeline for local coordinators is available to assist in planning and advertising the event.

The FY 07-08 and FY 08-09 HHW results are available for your review. If you have any questions please contact Paula Mitchell, HHW Coordinator, at (615) 532-9265.

 

Year Round Collection of HHW

Solid Waste Management encourages counties to educate its citizens year-round concerning the proper use and disposal of HHW. Counties should use all available means to communicate the characteristics of HHW, the consequences of improper disposal, and the basic concept of reducing, reusing, and recycling HHW whenever possible. Additionally, preference for mobile collection service will be given to counties that are providing year-round management of batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze, and electronics (BOPAE).

By following certain guidelines, many HHW (i.e. propane tanks, computers and televisions, paint, batteries, used oil, antifreeze, and oil filters) can be safely collected by existing solid waste staff on a year-round basis. This higher level of service to local residents can reduce mobile collection costs, prevent landfilling of waste, and improve water quality. The Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste Management has established Household Paint Management Requirements and Household Paint Managment Guidance for counties involved in household paint collection and handling. For more year-round collection options for mercury thermostats, escrap, rechargeable batteries, cell phones, propane cylinders, and more please see above helpful links on the right.

Success with BOPAE Collections

McMinn County's request for a mobile household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event was not fullfilled in the fall of 2007 due to increasing HHW disposal costs and participation levels. As a result Shawn Lindsey, Public Works Director for the City of Athens, inquired about other options for McMinn County/City of Athens residents in need of disposal of HHW. The state HHW staff assisted Mr. Lindsey was informed that his residents had two options, either travel to a HHW event in another county or host an event to collect batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze, and electronics (BOPA+E). These five items compose a majority of the weight (cost) of materials collected at HHW events. Mr. Lindsey decided that hosting a BOPA+E collection would meet his residents' needs best. In exchange for Mr. Lindsey's management of batteries, oil, latex paint, antifreeze, and electronics, the State agreed to pay for the disposal of any oil-based paint or lithium batteries collected.

This event was a huge success! It cost the city of Athens less than $1,000 due to the partnerships created with local media, environmental groups, and waste haulers. Mr. Lindsey worked closely with Keep McMinn Beautiful to recruit volunteers for the day of the BOPA+E event. The McMinn County Environmental Club and WXYI radio station contributed advertisements and other media. Due to this increased promotion, the participation for this event was slightly higher than McMinn County's last HHW event. Scott Computers provided labor and recycling in exchange for the electronic scrap. A total of 20,350 lbs was collected at the BOPA+E event in comparison to 21,403 lbs at the last HHW collection.

This event was an excellent example of what can be accomplished when local agencies, community organizations, and state agencies work together toward a common goal, proper disposal of batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze, and electronics at minimum cost in order to facilitate more HHW events across the state

For more information about Tennessee's Household Hazardous
Waste Program, please contact Paula Mitchell by email or at
615-532-9265.