Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Disposing of hazardous waste materials was made a bit easier recently, when the Presque Isle Solid Waste Department hosted a collection day at its Transfer Station at the Industrial Park. “On Aug. 18, we collected hazardous waste, including: gasoline, antifreeze, thinners, solvents, adhesives and pesticides,” said Dana Fowler, director of the Solid Waste Department.
This was the second such collection, said Fowler. The first was held in 2005. The event was made possible through funding from various sources.
“We received funding from many difference sources. One notable source of funding was the Maine Department of Agriculture for pesticide disposal,” said Fowler. “Other contributors included: the Tri-Community Landfill, city of Presque Isle, Pine Tree Waste out of Houlton, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the County of Aroostook which handles the unorganized townships – the County administers all the duties of the unorganized townships,” said Fowler.
No cost was involved but pre-registration was required.
“We had 62 pre-register for the event. That’s up a bit from 2005, when we had 52,” said Fowler.
The collection doesn’t occur annually, due to the costs involved.
“Because of program expenses, we’re only able to get enough funds together to do it about every other year. If we can line it up, we’d like to try to do it every year or every other year as funding permits,” said Fowler. “This year NMDC did the pre-registration and put the funding together.”
