Dept. of Environmental Protection
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Darlene Crawford, DEP, (717) 787-1323
Robb Kunkle, Dept. of Aging, (717) 783-1549

 RIDGE ADMINISTRATION HELPS LAUNCH PREMIER MULTI-COUNTY CURBSIDE RECYCLING PROGRAM FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE IN NORTHEAST PA

ALLENTOWN (May 28) – On behalf of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, the Pennsylvania departments of Aging and Environmental Protection (DEP) today joined with Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe and Schuylkill counties, two waste-disposal companies, Pennsylvania's Senior Environment Corps and the Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement (EASI) to launch the first East Coast curbside recycling program for household hazardous waste.

"Partnership has been a key theme for Gov. Tom Ridge's administration. DEP firmly believes that government at any level -- federal, state or local -- cannot do it all," DEP Executive Deputy Secretary David E. Hess said. "It is only by encouraging partnering with all levels of government, the private sector and volunteers that we can meet our common needs. The Ridge Administration will continue to work in any way we can to make this program a success."

Known as the Door-to-Door Collection program, this new initiative will allow residents in the four counties to properly dispose of paints, paint thinners, solvents, motor oil and other substances that should not be disposed with household garbage. Door-to-Door Collection will be delivered through a partnership among the four counties, Curbside Inc., Laidlaw Environmental Services/Safety-Kleen and EASI.

"For the first time, residents of Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe and Schuylkill counties will be able to call and arrange for the collection of their household hazardous waste and have it picked up from their homes," Lehigh County Executive Jane S. Baker said.

EASI volunteers will work with members of the Senior Environment Corps, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and the Department of Aging's county senior centers to implement public-education efforts designed to contribute to source-waste reduction and increase program participation throughout the four counties.

Department of Aging Secretary Richard Browdie noted the involvement of EASI and the Senior Environment Corps in this effort: "Pennsylvania's older residents understand the vital role volunteers play in assuring the success of meaningful projects like this one. Senior volunteers are committed to environmental challenges and fulfilling the needs of their local communities. To them it is an ideal and lasting utilization of their life-long talents and experiences."

"We are overwhelmed by the enthusiasm shown for this project both by government agencies and the private sector," EASI President Thomas P. Benjamin said. "Older citizens have great enthusiasm for working to protect the environment for their grandchildren."

Curbside Inc., a division of Safety-Kleen, has been awarded the contract to collect the materials. Safety-Kleen will be responsible for both curbside collection and quantifying the volume of household hazardous waste recycled as part of this program. The program begins July 1.

According to Curbside Inc., a key element of this service is convenience for area residents. Customers can make a phone call, put their waste in a container and schedule a pickup. For more information, visit the DEP website at http://www.dep.state.pa.us (choose Information by Subject/Senior Environment Corps).