Hazardous waste pickup in Orion Township is changing hands.
The board of trustees decided at their Jan. 17 meeting to join the NO HAZ program for 2006.
The NO HAZ program is a consortium of communities in northern Oakland County who jointly fund several Household Hazardous Waste Day events each year.
‘I think it’s great,? said Whitney Calio, environmenal programs coordinator for the Oakland County Waste Resource Management Division. ‘Hopefully it will work well for the residents.?
Calio said that the opportunity for three different drop-offs should be a big plus.
The board’s decision means the end of the township’s relationship with ONYX Environmental Services, who had been the vendor/waste generator since the first HHWD event in 1998.
‘Several other communities have been involved,? township supervisor Jerry Dywasuk said of the Orion run HHWD.
Dywasuk noted that these communities (Addison and Oakland Townships, plus Oxford and Brandon) are likely to follow Orion’s lead into NO HAZ.
A representative from Oakland Township was on hand and confirmed this stance.
The board did note that they will reevaluate the situation next year and could return to the past contractor if desired at that time.
‘Now that the county has their program in place, they can handle some of the administrative duties,? Dywasuk said.
NO HAZ has two drop-off dates already scheduled in the county.
The first is at Oakland University in Rochester Hills on May 20th.
The second is at the Oakland Community College-Highland Lakes Campus in Waterford on September 16th.
Representatives for NO HAZ told the board that a third drop-off, in Orion Township, is a top priority.
They are hoping for that drop-off to take place in the fall and Calio said there is currently a proposal being considered.
Eagle Valley, which has served as the HHWD site in the past, is one of the possible sites NO HAZ will consider for an Orion pickup.
Though the program will most likely cost more than the ONYX Environmental Services program, the board was intrigued by the opportunity to add two more drop-off dates.
Dywasuk noted that there ‘may be some bugs? initially, but the switch should be good in the long run.
The two programs do have a couple of notable differences.
NO HAZ will allow computer and electronic equipment (at a rate of 15 cents per pound), but will not accept motor oil.
NO HAZ representatives said they will work on alerting the community where they can dispose of motor oil.
A complete list of accepted materials and other NO HAZ information can be accessed at www.co.oakland.mi.us/waste/nohaz/nohaz.html.