Press Release

Simi Valley, CA, May 21, 2009 - With Memorial weekend launching a season of summer cookouts, Waste Management of Ventura County reminds customers that summertime activities can pose unique challenges to trash disposal and recycling efforts.

"Summers should be full of relaxing times by the pool, barbequing with friends and family, but keeping safety top of mind is critical,” said Mike Smith, Director of Operations for Waste Management of Ventura County. “Carelessly handling of summertime household waste, like charcoal and other outdoor items can create the potential for fires, harmful vapors, chemical spills and can endanger the safety of waste haulers, landfill operators and the public.”

Here are some tips to staying safe as the weather heats up:

Safely dispose of barbecue coals and ashes
Coals or ashes fresh from the barbecue should never be disposed directly into collection containers. They should instead be cooled for several days, and then placed in a metal container with a tight lid for proper disposal. To speed up the cooling process, you may carefully place coals in a metal container full of water to “drown” them like you would a campfire (never place them in plastic, paper or wood containers).

“Just as those coals helped to get the fire started in your barbecue, they can also start a fire in your trash container or, once emptied into the back of one of our trucks, ignite the materials around it,” said Smith. “Coals that appear to be cooled can still start a fire in the bin or collection truck and create an unsafe situation for both you and your neighbors and our employees. Remember that coals can stay hot for hours - or even days - after you have finished using them.”

Keep pool chemicals out of the trash
Pool chemicals are considered household hazardous waste in California and should never be put - in any amount - in trash or recycling containers. Pool chemicals involved in fire or toxic vapor releases are likely to include those that add chlorine or a chlorine ion to the pool water for bacterial control. Here are some tips for handling pool chemicals:

• Minimize the different types of chemicals you store.
• Don't buy more than you will consume in a season. Some of the more hazardous pool chemicals don't keep well.
• Keep wet hands and dirty scoops out of your chemicals. Contamination is often a cause of problems.
• Don't store pool chemicals where other materials can fall into them.
• Never mix chemicals. When adding chemicals to your pool allow one to disappear before adding another.
• Use gloves and glasses and make sure chemicals are locked away from small children.

• Keep a separate container just for recyclables in a convenient place, such as the kitchen, laundry room or backyard.
• Make sure a separate container for trash is easily accessible for kids enjoying ice cream treats, art projects or water balloon fights.
• When entertaining, be sure to provide a convenient receptacle where guests can place plastic, glass or aluminum beverage containers.
• Make sure recyclable bottles, cans or containers touched by sticky hands or filled with food are rinsed before placing them in the recycling cart or bin.
• Consider crushing aluminum cans to help save space while storing them.
• Do not place plastic bags in the green waste cart and keep yard clippings and other greenwaste free of food, animal waste or other trash.