The City of Newport will be hosting an Eco-Depot collection for household hazardous waste on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at the Clean City Program located at 70 Halsey St. Collections are by appointment only. For more information about the Eco-Depot or to schedule appointments call 942-1430 ext. 241 or visit www.rirrc.org.

Household Hazardous Waste must be disposed of through a household hazardous materials disposal program and cannot be collected through the regular curbside collection. The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation provides Eco-Depot as a free collection service for household hazardous waste for Rhode Island residents. Regular collections are held at the Central Landfill in Johnston and at regional collections throughout the state.

Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation's Eco-Depot Household Hazardous Waste Guide

Household Hazardous Waste is anything toxic, corrosive, flammable or poisonous. Most of us have loads of this material in our cellars, garages and under our sinks. Household Hazardous Waste includes any unused portion of cleaners, pesticides, automotive lubricants, and home improvement supplies such as paints, thinners, stain, fertilizer, weed killers, and pool chemicals. If a product's label has words like "caution", "danger", or "warning" it is hazardous and must be disposed of properly.

Used Motor Oil: A used motor oil recycling program is available at the Clean City Program office located in the side entrance of the Utilities Department, 70 Halsey Street, Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Motor oil must not be mixed with water or any other substance. This is a free service provided to Newport residents. Please stop in the Clean City Program office for assistance.

Latex Paint in solid form is not considered hazardous and may be disposed of through the regular curbside collection program, as long as it is dried solid. For best results, add clay oil spill absorbent to liquid paint to aid in drying.

Improper Disposal of household hazardous waste is not only illegal, but is harmful to the environment and can contaminate the water supply. If you have any questions as to the whether the materials you wish to dispose of require the use of a household hazardous waste program, please contact the Clean City Program at (401) 845-5613.

Work Done by Contractors: This is a reminder that all waste generated as a result of work done by contractors is considered commercial waste and its disposal is the responsibility of the hired contractor.

Any waste resulting from work done by private contractors is not eligible for City provided collection service. This includes waste from construction, electrical or plumbing work, landscape installations or tree work done by private contractors.

Work Done by Homeowners Themselves: A limited amount of waste resulting from renovation and building projects done by the homeowner themselves is eligible for City provided collection service. All construction and demolition waste is included in the six 32-gallon container limit allowed each week for collection from buildings containing eight or less residential units.

The Clean City Program provides a variety of litter control services. Approximately 250 litter barrels are in place throughout the city in areas of heavy pedestrian traffic and in city parks. These barrels are emptied through a contract with Waste Management, Inc. and are maintained by Clean City Program seasonal employees.

Seasonal employees operating mechanical walk-behind sidewalk sweepers provide litter collection. Litter collection is also provided through a contract with Waste Management, Inc.