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While hundreds of customers come and go at Weld County’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility, there are a few Dan Parkos, manager of the facility, recognizes as regulars. One such couple comes in to the Greeley facility every month during spring and summer to pick up free oil-based stains for putting the finishing touches on their woodworking projects.
Oil-based stain is one of many HHW materials that can be dropped off or picked up for reuse at no charge to residents, perhaps making the facility one of Weld County’s best kept secrets.
“This drop-off program is providing a service to the public,” Parkos said. “People come because they want to get rid of these materials in the right way. And a lot of people, such as the woodworking couple, pick up items through the Reuse Program for household maintenance and other projects.”
Upon entering the HHW facility, residents are greeted by various materials that line the Reuse Program’s shelves. Grab a can of paint for the latest DIY project from Pinterest. Pick up fertilizer to perk up the lawn. Need to seal a window or waterproof that last bit of decking? Swing by and grab caulk and water sealers. It’s spring cleaning season, so cleaning products will be flying off store shelves. Save some money by popping in and snagging them from the Reuse Program. It’s not a free-for-all though: only five items can be taken per customer, per day. Out of the various HHW items picked up for reuse, paint is the most popular, with pesticides and fertilizers being a close second.
Initially, the HHW facility was implemented to prevent hazardous materials from being placed in landfills within the county in hopes of reducing potential ground-water contamination. A lot of materials facility staff received were still usable, because people would buy more than necessary and bring in the leftover products for safe disposal. And so, the Reuse Program was born.
In 2019 alone, 6,783 pounds of waste were taken through the Reuse Program. That’s 6,783 less pounds of waste in landfills within Weld County and in water systems.
“People really appreciate the Reuse Program,” Parkos said. “I’ve had people tell me they’ve lived here for years and just found out about the program via a friend or family member. They tell me they use the program because it saves them money, but more importantly, it helps our environment. The price truly is right at the end of the day - which is free.”
Parkos has managed the Reuse Program for 15 years. Over this time, he’s seen nearly 390,000 pounds of waste taken through the program. Parkos oversees the Greeley HHW facility as well as the one in Dacono, supervising five staff members who rotate between the two sites.
Although residents can only pick up items through the Reuse Program at the Greeley facility, HHW materials can be dropped off for safe disposal at the Dacono site as well. Residents can drop off HHW materials not for reuse such as motor oil, batteries and antifreeze at either facility. Dropped-off items must be in labeled containers no larger than five gallons, and there is a max drop-off weight of 200 pounds per day, per household. A complete list of acceptable items can be found here.
These days, as we near spring, Parkos and staff are busy tidying up and organizing the Reuse Program’s shelves. They’re separating paints from stains and pesticides from household cleaners and making sure they’re prepared for anyone who wants to come in to take advantage of the program, including the couple who returns each year to pick up stains for their next woodworking project.
By Shaley Dehner, Weld County Communications Specialist
North Household Hazardous Waste Facility and Reuse Program: 1311 North 17th Avenue Greeley, CO 80634 Open every Tuesday and Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
South Household Hazardous Waste Facility: 5500 Highway 52 Dacono, CO 80514 Open every Friday and Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
HHW staff want to remind residents that recycling is not the same as reuse. Recycling is taking an item and turning it into something else. Reuse is taking an item and putting it out for the public to use in its original form.
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