Piedmonters Are Champs at Hazardous Waste Disposal

Piedmont City Councilmember Garrett Keating mentioned at Monday's council meeting that Piedmont residents are the best in Alameda County at disposing of household hazardous waste properly.

We followed up with Jeff Becerra of StopWaste.org, who provided these statistics:

"In fiscal year 2011-12, 736 Piedmont households used the program. Assuming 3801 households (from 2010 census data) that’s a 19.36 % participation rate – the highest in the county.

"The next highest community is Livermore at  16%; the county average is about 7.8%."

The closest household hazardous waste drop-off location for Piedmont residents is at 2100 E. Seventh St., Oakland, which is open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday (except Thanksgiving and Christmas weekends, and July 4 this year) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The facility accepts the following items:

• Paint, stain, varnish, thinner and adhesives
• Auto products such as old fuel, motor oil, oil filters and batteries
• Household batteries, fluorescent bulbs, cleaners and sprays
• Garden products, including pesticides and fertilizers
• Home generated "sharps" waste in approved containers.
• Prescription and over the counter medicines, except for controlled substances