For immediate release June 26, 2008
BREDESEN ANNOUNCES $340,000 GRANT FOR HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY IN MEMPHIS
FOUR-YEAR GRANT WILL HELP FUND OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE AT NEW CENTER
Nashville, Tenn. – Governor Phil Bredesen and Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke have announced a $340,000 grant for the operation and maintenance of Memphis’s new permanent household hazardous waste facility over the next four 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 of ground and water sources.”
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.
The city of Memphis became eligible for a household hazardous waste operation and maintenance grant in May 2008. The cities of Chattanooga, Knoxville and Metro Nashville received similar grants in October 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. “Operation and maintenance 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.”
For more information on Environment and Conservation’s Household Hazardous Waste program, visit the Web site at www.tn.gov/environment/swm/hhw/.
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For more information contact: Tammy Heise |
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