In an effort to promote a safer home and a cleaner state, Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) will host an Eco-Depot collection at the state’s Central Landfill Saturday, July 12 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 65 Shun Pike in Johnston. This Eco-Depot collection is available free of charge to Rhode Island residents only. To help reduce time spent in line, appointments should be made in advance.

Eco-Depot is a free service provided by Resource Recovery that allows for the proper handling, packaging, storing, transportation and disposal of household hazardous waste. Since 2001, Resource Recovery has collected approximately 9,333,000 pounds of household hazardous waste, including more than 12,316 pounds of mercury and 384 tons of paint. The Eco-Depot program helps to keep these dangerous chemicals out of the state’s soil and ground water, all at no cost to state residents.

Most homes have a number of items stored throughout the garage, basement, shed, bathroom and kitchen that contain hazardous chemicals. Common household hazardous waste materials include fluorescent light bulbs, gasoline, pesticides, oil-based paints, used motor oil and lawn and pool chemicals. When not properly collected and disposed, household hazardous waste products can cause harm to the local environment by contaminating Rhode Island’s waterways. For a full list of household hazardous waste materials, visit www.ecodepotri.org.  

This upcoming collection in Johnston is one of 44 Eco-Depot collections available throughout the state in 2014. To make an appointment for the collection or to view the entire 2014 Eco-Depot schedule, visit www.ecodepotri.org or call 942-1430 x241.