Improper 'recycling' of insecticides angers RDEK
June 24, 2009 by CVNews
Filed under Cranbrook, Environment, Kimberley-Cranbrook, Local government, Local news, Safety
The depositing of old containers of insecticide in recycling has angered regional government staff.
Press release –
Haz Mat Incident Raises Ire of RDEK.
The RDEK is reminding the public about the importance of properly disposing of recyclables, garbage and other materials after insecticide was dumped in a recycling bin and sent several employees at the Materials Recycling Facility to Hospital yesterday.
“What happened yesterday was the result of a pure act of recklessness” says RDEK Environmental Services Manager, Eric Sharpe. “These yellow recycling bins are sorted by hand and it is absolutely unacceptable for anything other than clean recyclables to be put in those bins. The workers at this facility work incredibly hard to make sure we have a recycling system and when people act with blatant disregard for their efforts and more importantly, their safety, it is truly galling.”
At least 5 bottles of post consumer insecticide were recovered from the scene. “These were old bottles of insecticide that someone could have dealt with properly. Instead, they put the safety of others at risk by carelessly discarding it,” adds Sharpe. “These bottles are quite distinct, and we would really appreciate hearing from anyone who may be able to identify the person(s) responsible for throwing them into the recycling.”
If people are unsure of how to properly dispose of items or need information on where things can be recycled, they should contact the RDEK.
In total, 20 staff from the recycling facilities were assessed at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital and released. Clean up efforts at the facility are ongoing and are expected to be complete today.
The RDEK credits the efforts of the Cranbrook Fire Department and Emergency Services Personnel, RCMP, Newalta Haz Mat Team, Ministry of Environment and Hospital doctors and staff. “This incident shows the importance of having and executing a well planned emergency response plan. We are grateful there were no serious injuries and thank all those involved for their efforts in resolving the incident so quickly,” says Sharpe.
Press release
June 24, 2009
Regional District of East Kootenay
This is ridiculous and blown way out of proportion. Firstly, no one appears to have suffered any harm. This toxic product was in containers, as it was when sold. If it was not considered dangerous when it was bought, how is it so dangerous now? And if it *is* so dangerous, why is the stuff being sold?
I can easily see how this may have happened – quite innocently, perhaps even in good conscience. For some years I carried around a handful of batteries that I knew were toxic and should not be disposed of in landfill. But I could not find out how to dispose of them. Eventually I put them in the landfill, but that could just as easily have been the recycling bin.
We have been programmed by government recycling promotion telling us to dispose of toxic materials in special ways, not with the regular garbage. So this person obviously listened to that and did the right thing (in that regard). But it could well be that they had no idea where else to dispose of it, and recycling was possibly the only ’special’ alternative they could find. So I can easily see them putting this stuff into recycling quite in good faith and thinking they were being helpful.
After all, this stuff was packaged and no more harmful than it had been all along. So what is the big deal, really? I think it is improper of RDEK to throw a tantrum. Instead they should perhaps make it easier to recycle unusual things like this.
I think that recycling has become too complex and confusing, too bureaucratic. Over here in Nelson area I have stopped recycling entirely since the crazy new blue bag system came in. It is dysfunctional. If recycling is going to work well it has to be simple and easy.
I say all of this as someone who has recycled meticulously for decades. My choice now that I have stopped recycling is to reduce the amount that needs to be recycled – an ecologically better path anyway.