Calais, Machias plan waste collection

MACHIAS – More than half of Washington County’s 44 towns have taken steps toward having their residents included in the first-ever days for collection of household hazardous waste this summer, July 9 in Calais and July 30 in Machias.

As for the rest of the towns getting on board with the countywide push to clean up basements and barns, those residents whose towns have not yet signed up need to talk to their selectmen.

“If you want to be able to take in your old chemicals without a charge, tell your selectmen,” said Judy East, head of the Washington County Council of Governments, the organization leading the project.

“Response has been very positive so far. But we want residents of every town to be able to do this, and their selectmen need to hear from them,” she said.

Calais, Machias and Steuben are already committed and promoting the project among their residents. Other town boards are aware of the project, but could benefit from a show of interest from residents.

Cities and towns will pay fees based on the number of households each has.

The drop-offs will take place at the transfer stations in either Calais on July 9 or Machias on July 30.

Towns also need to designate a single volunteer who will take questions from the public, as well as handle preregistrations for each household. Each town’s point person also needs to be in attendance at their transfer station – Calais or Machias – on the day of the collections.

The towns will cover the costs, which typically run $300 to $800 per town, depending on size and how many households participate.

If a town chooses not to take part, individuals living in a nonparticipating town can participate in hazardous waste drop-offs by paying their own fees, about $20 a unit.

Households that sign up will be given a single-day permit to drop off their material between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. When possible, materials should be in original containers and sealed with labels still attached. Otherwise, the containers should be clearly marked with their contents.

Here is what will be collected: oil-based paints, fuels (old gasoline, kerosene, charcoal lighter), paint thinners, turpentine, strippers, varnishes, used antifreeze, used motor oil, battery acid, transmission, brake fluid, waxes, driveway sealer, adhesives, pool and photography chemicals, oven and drain cleaners, herbicides, pesticides and fungicides.

Many county residents mistakenly believe that they already can drop off such materials at the Marion Transfer Station, East cautioned.

However, that is not the case, and the July dates will provide the one time this year that these specific materials will be handled by licensed waste removal services.

The council is pushing the program based on a similar program that worked well in Hancock County last year. Residents in 17 of the 36 Hancock County towns that agreed to take part were able to drop off their waste products in either Ellsworth or Bar Harbor.

Based on those participation levels, the council estimates that from 1 percent to 2 percent of the county’s households will recognize the opportunity and join in. Households preregister at their town offices, then present a permit on the day of the drop-off that allows them to dump their goods for free.