CAMBRIA HOUSEHOLD WASTE COLLECTION NETS STATE FUNDS JOHNSTOWN, Sept. 7, 2006 - The Cambria County Solid Waste Authority’s efforts in helping local citizens dispose of dangerous household chemicals and products have earned a state grant from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), according to state Sen. John Wozniak. “This grant recognizes and rewards the Cambria County Solid Waste Authority for continuing to educate the community and sponsor special collection events,” said Wozniak (D-Johnstown). “Thanks to their hard work, we are preserving the environment for our children and grandchildren.” Through the Pennsylvania Small Business and Household Pollution Prevention Grant Program, DEP will reimburse the authority for $3,439, or 50 percent of the costs associated with the authority’s household hazardous waste collection event. The General Assembly established this grant award with Act 190 of 1996, and the program provides reimbursement to registered sponsors of collection programs for household hazardous waste, electronics, and tires. “Many groups want to sponsor these types of events, but the cost seems prohibitive,” said Wozniak. “With state funding, these collections - which often involve transporting large amounts of waste to out-of-state facilities - become feasible for smaller communities.” According to the Cambria County Solid Waste Authority’s Web site (www.cambriarecycles.org), the authority collected over 20,000 pounds of hazardous household waste (including fuel, paint, used oil, antifreeze, corrosives, flammables, pesticides, oxidizers, poisons, reactive solids, aerosols, batteries, mercury, cleaners, and putty adhesives) during a 4-hour collection event on June 10. DEP estimates that the average Pennsylvanian produces 4 pounds of household hazardous waste annually, which results in 25,000 tons of waste generated statewide. ####