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Waste Management Have A Safe (And Green) Summer

Take steps to keep hot barbecue coals and ashes out of the trash

Kapolei, Hawaii, August 19, 2008 – With summer in full swing, Waste Management of Hawaii reminds everyone to be safe and green during backyard barbeques and beach parties. Summertime activities can pose unique challenges to home safety, as well as the disposal of our opala and recycling efforts.

“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 a garbage truck, ignite the materials around it,” said Joe Whelan, general manager of Waste Management of Hawaii. “Coals that appear to be cooled can create an unsafe situation for you, your ohana, your neighbors and our employees. Remember that coals can stay hot for hours or even days after you have finished using them.”

Coals or ashes fresh from the barbecue should never be disposed directly into your collection container or in your recyclables container. When materials that don’t belong in the greenwaste or recycling containers are placed there, the greenwaste or recyclables become “contaminated.” Contamination can destroy an entire load of recyclables, quickly turning it into just another load of trash that will go into our landfills.

Coals should be cooled for several days, and then placed in a metal container with a tight lid for proper disposal in your waste container. At our parks, charcoal must be deposited in the ash disposal receptacles where provided, or in refuse containers after the charcoal is completely extinguished. 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. Remember: never place coals – even if you think they’re cool - in plastic, paper or wood containers.

“Trash contamination in recyclables and greenwaste defeats the goals of recycling programs, which is to conserve natural resources,” said Whelan.

Here are number of tips to help you keep up with your recycling this summer:

• 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 your guests can place their 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 your recycling cart or bin.
  
  
• Consider crushing aluminum cans to help save space while storing them.
  
  
• Do not place plastic bags in your greenwaste cart and keep your yard clippings and other greenwaste free of food, animal waste or other trash.