Hazardous Waste Collection Hosted In City Saturday

Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) will host a special waste collection in Woonsocket on Saturday, May 12.

This free Eco-Depot collection will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is only available to Rhode Island residents. Rhode Islanders are encouraged to attend the collection at the Woonsocket Department of Public Works at 1117 River St., Woonsocket where RIRRC officials will accept and dispose of their household hazardous waste.

Household hazardous waste is collected separately from the state’s Central Landfill in order to protect humans, animals and the local environment. These are products that have warning labels indicating they are dangerous to human health because they are flammable, caustic, combustible or toxic.

Common household hazardous waste items include fluorescent light bulbs, oil-based paint, mercury thermometers, used motor oil, gasoline, antifreeze, pool and lawn chemicals, propane tanks and pesticides.  

“This is a great time for residents to get a start on their spring cleaning,” noted Joe Rotella, Special Waste Manager for RIRRC. “While we will be hosting a number of Eco-Depot collections throughout the year, this is the only collection scheduled in Woonsocket. We hope that everyone in the area will take advantage of this resource and rid their sheds, basements and garages of hazardous waste in advance of the upcoming summer season.” 

Throughout the year, 21 Eco-Depot collections will be held at various municipal locations throughout the state. An additional 19 collections are held on-site at the state’s Central Landfill Complex in Johnston.  For those who wish to attend the Eco-Depot event an appointment must be made with Eco-Depot in advance. By making an appointment for the Eco-Depot drop off, customer wait times are kept to a minimum.

To make an appointment and view the complete list of materials Eco-Depot accepts, or to see the entire 2012 Eco-Depot collection schedule visit www.ecodepotri.org or call 401.942.1430 x241.