Project Name: Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Recycling Program
Basin: R
Sub-watershed Location: Stream Segment 2304
Sub-watershed Description: The program affects all watersheds that share a
portion of their area with the City of Laredo limits.  These include the Chacon
Creek, Zacate Creek, Sombrerito Creek and Manadas Creek Watersheds.
Lead Entity: Environmental Engineering Division, City of Laredo

Other Participants: TNRCC, South Texas Development Council
Funding Source: TNRCC Municipal Solid Waste Grants + city match\in-kind
Amount of Funding: $81,623
Project Start Year: 1996
Project Finish Year: Ongoing

Contact: Raj Guntnur, P.E. - Environmental Engineer
         City of Laredo
         1110 Houston St.
         Laredo, Tx. 78042
         tel: (956) 791-7358
         fax: (956) 791-7496
         e-mail: raj@icsi.net

Abstract:  Many consumer products contain chemicals that may be hazardous to
human health or the environment if improperly used, stored or disposed.  These
chemicals become hazardous wastes when they are no longer wanted or needed as
household products.  Unfortunately household chemicals are frequently washed
down drains, poured on the ground, or thrown in the trash where they may
ultimately pose risks to human health or the environment.  Disposing of
household chemicals in the trash may start f ires, explode or react in trash
collection trucks often injuring sanitation workers.  The public needs to be
made aware that there are some household products such as lead-acid batteries,
waste oil and paints that can be and should be recycled.

The City of Laredo provides it's citizens with the HHW collection event in
compliance with the requirements set forth by the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System storm water permit.  A major component of the program is
education.  The even t is structured to encourage citizens to drop off household
hazardous waste while providing them with valuable information on effective
alternative solutions to the use of household products that are hazardous to the
environment.  This component stre sses the importance, reuse and recycling of
these toxic materials and the education plan involves several civic
organizations volunteering their time and efforts to make this event successful.

Progress to Date: The City first held a HHW collection event on April 27, 1996,
where a total of 5,908 lbs. was collected from 162 participants.  Another event
held on November 2, 1996, collected 11,038 lbs. with 286  participants
attending. The most recent event held on April 19, 1997, netted 7,811 lbs. with
154 cititizens participating.  The need for this project is reflected by the
totals and Laredo citizens continue to grow in their knowledge of Household
Hazardous Waste.

Category : E