Halton Region has turned a little orange over the past nine months. That’s because almost 1,000 homes are participating in Halton’s Orange Box pilot program.
The Orange Box Pilot Program was first launched at the Halton Waste Management Site’s 20th Anniversary on September 29, 2012, when 350 boxes were picked up by residents. Soon after, at the Special Waste Drop-off Day at Mohawk Racetrack, 150 Orange Boxes were given out to interested residents. A few residents even came back that same day to drop off additional hazardous waste material they learned from the acceptable materials sticker was actually considered hazardous! Recently, at the Halton Eco Festival on April 6, residents picked up 450 Orange Boxes.
If you would like to participate in the pilot program there are still some Orange Boxes left at the Halton Waste Management Site’s Household Hazardous Waste Depot. Stop in any time between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday, to be a part of the pilot.
If you have an Orange Box at home, and it is full — please bring it to the Household Hazardous Waste Depot or upcoming Special Waste Drop-off Days. So far, more than 60 residents have dropped off their full Orange Box. No longer are their shelves, cupboards and drawers being cluttered with unwanted hazardous waste. Instead, these materials are being placed in the Orange Box, safely transported to the Depot, and 75% of all hazardous waste material we collect — is recycled, with the remaining being disposed of safely!
Three to four Orange Boxes are arriving at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot every week, which is great — but we want to see more! We all have unwanted hazardous waste at home, including paints, solvents, medications, pharmaceuticals like cosmetics, and propane tanks. The Orange Box is that reminder to de-clutter your house, and divert these materials from ending up in the landfill.
Halton’s Household Hazardous Waste Depot is your one-stop solution for all hazardous waste. We accept everything from acids, aerosols and all household cleaners, to medications, and fertilizers.
Not sure if it’s hazardous? You can print the acceptable materials list, or use our Put Waste In Its Place database! We want to help you know where to throw all your hazardous materials.
No Orange Box? No problem. Halton residents can still bring their hazardous waste to the Household Hazardous Waste Depot free of charge, in whatever box you would like. Just make sure the hazardous materials are tightly sealed in their original containers. Do not mix hazardous materials together.
At the end of 2013, the Orange Box pilot program will be evaluated to determine if it was successful. In the meantime, stay blue, green and ORANGE!