EPA Continues to Collect Hazardous Household Materials in the U.S. Virgin Islands; Announces Upcoming Collection Dates and Locations

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Washington, DC  – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S Environmental Protection Agency is working with local governments and residents in St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and Water Island, U.S. Virgin Islands to keep hazardous materials out of the environment and minimize the amount of waste going to landfills through household hazardous waste collection events.

EPA

“As part of our continuing response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, we want to protect people and their families from potential dangers of hazardous items such as batteries, motor oil, old paint and pesticides,” said EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez. “These items can pose a threat to people and to the environment, so it’s important that they are disposed of properly. EPA’s goal is to help residents protect themselves and their community by separating potentially hazardous products from their regular trash.”

Household hazardous waste includes aerosol cans, household cleaners and chemicals, paint, and electronic items such as computers and televisions. Household hazardous materials also include car and marine batteries, which have become a major concern due to the large volume of batteries being used by residents who are without power. Household hazardous waste should not be thrown out with regular trash as it can contaminate the land, waterways, and groundwater.

In the U.S. Virgin Islands EPA personnel have evaluated and identified collection pad locations for household hazardous waste. Residents should drop off their household hazardous waste at the collection pad location closest to them.

When transporting household hazardous waste to collection sites, residents are being asked to seal containers tightly, and bring their waste in its original container, if possible. If the original container is leaking, or residents are using a different container, they should label the container with its current contents. Products should not be mixed, as it can cause a very dangerous, and sometimes fatal, chemical reaction.

EPA household hazardous waste collection point at Evelyn Williams Elementary School in St. Croix, USVI. Photo courtesy of the U.S. EPA.

St. Croix Collections:

Free collection every day from 8AM – 5PM

Evelyn M. Williams Elementary School, 13A Mt. Pleasant, Frederiksted, St Croix

Free One-Day collections:

  • December 9 from 8AM – 4PM, Home Depot, 1105 Barren Spot, Kingshill
  • December 16 Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, Headquarters Building Parking Lot, Tranberg Road, Fredericksted
  • Roaming pickups coming soon

St Thomas Collections:

Free collection Monday through Saturday, from 7:30AM to 4:00PM

  • Addelita Cancryn Jr High School, Route 30, Charlotte Amalie
  • Gasworks (Lima property), 7405 Estate Bovoni
  • Bovoni Landfill

St. John Collections:

Free collection Monday through Saturday, 7:30AM to 4:00PM

  • Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center, Centerline Road
  • Roaming pickups ongoing

Water Island Special Collections:

Free collections on December 5th and December 7th

  • Water Island Waste Transfer Site, AREA V, Water Island

We can take these items:

  • Spray paint
  • Car and marine batteries
  • Household batteries
  • Fluorescent bulbs
  • Paints and paint thinners
  • Household cleaners & solvents
  • Pesticides, weed killer, insect repellents
  • Propane
  • Gasoline
  • Auto fluids
  • TVs & computers
  • Fire extinguishers

We CANNOT take these items:

  • Explosives / Radioactive materials
  • Asbestos
  • Compressed gas cylinders
  • Large appliances (air conditioners, refrigerators, stoves, washers & dryers, etc.)
  • Curbside debris (regular household trash, trees, branches)
  • Medical / Infectious waste

For questions about EPA’s household hazardous waste collection program in the USVI, the public can call EPA toll free at 888-283-7626.

For more information and photos, visit EPA’s Hurricane Maria website and Hurricane Maria story map.

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