Langley – Hazardous waste can’t be poured down the drain, thrown in the garbage, burned, buried, or left to seep into the earth. However, keeping it in your home or garage isn’t an option either, as it can be toxic to people, pets, and the environment.
That’s why the Township of Langley and the City of Langley are teaming up for an annual event that allows all Langley residents to dispose of hazardous waste safely and to turn in items for recycling.
The Household Hazardous Waste Plus Recycling Event returns Saturday and Sunday, October 15 and 16. Residents are encouraged to drive through the Township’s Operations Centre at 4700 – 224 Street any time between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm and get rid of their products in a responsible way.
The drop-off is free to Township and City residents, and proof of residency is required.
“The annual Household Hazardous Waste Plus Recycling Event is really making a difference,” said Rachel Randt of Langley Township’s Engineering Division. “At last year’s event, 658 cars passed through, and Terrapure Environmental collected a total of 21,385 tonnes of household waste, which included eight tonnes of adhesives such as resin, over four tonnes of oil, more than two tonnes of liquid pesticide, and over a tonne of antifreeze.”
“We really appreciate everyone’s efforts to keep these items from harming the environment or anyone in their household,” Randt said.
“Sometimes it’s hard to figure out where leftover toxic household products should go,” said Rick Bomhof, Langley City’s Director of Engineering, Parks and Environment. “To solve this problem, the Township and the City of Langley are holding the Household Hazardous Waste Event where you can easily dispose of pesticides, automotive wastes, electronics, as well as light bulbs, batteries, and paint.”
“Instead of polluting residential drains or filling local landfills, come dispose of household items at this great event so we all can keep our community healthy and clean,” Bomhof said.
Residents can also bring in small appliances, mercury thermostats, and smoke detectors to be recycled in an environmentally safe way.
While the Township and City are pleased to provide the service, Randt noted that people do not need to hold on to hazardous waste and recyclables and wait for the annual event. They can skip the line-up and make use of the recycling and bottle depots throughout the community that accept such products year-round.
For a full list of items accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Plus Recycling Event, visit tol.ca/hhw. To see which items can be accepted at depots year-round, visit rcbc.ca/recyclepedia.
Only household quantities will be accepted at the drop-off.
Township of Langley residents who recently received new waste collection carts can also bring their old cans to the event to be recycled if they have exhausted the options for repurposing them or have too many. To learn what can be done with old cans, visit tol.ca/carts.
Visitors to the Hazardous Waste Plus Recycling Event are encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food items for the Langley Food Bank.
For Township of Langley residents, contact Rachel Randt, Township of Langley Technical Assistant, at 604.533.6090 X3488 or rrandt@tol.ca for more information.
For City of Langley residents, contact Janine Clough, City of Langley Engineering Clerk, at 604.514.2997 or engineering@langleycity.ca for more information.
