Rotary collects 12,000 lbs of hazardous waste

Materials taken to Grand Island Area Clean Community Systems for disposal

  • Rotarian Justin Wolf helps unload boxes of paint cans at the Clean Community Systems facility in Grand Island. Pictured behind him is Jacob Arendt.
    Rotarian Justin Wolf helps unload boxes of paint cans at the Clean Community Systems facility in Grand Island. Pictured behind him is Jacob Arendt.
  • Members of the Aurora football team and AHS National Honor Society volunteered to help with Rotary's Hazardous Waste Collection Day effort.
    Members of the Aurora football team and AHS National Honor Society volunteered to help with Rotary's Hazardous Waste Collection Day effort.
  • John Jacobs, pictured at right, was one of more than 150 people bringing paint and hazardous materials to the fairgrounds, where Denise McGovern-Gallagher, center, and youth volunteers put them in trailers to be taken to Clean Community Systems in Grand Island.
    John Jacobs, pictured at right, was one of more than 150 people bringing paint and hazardous materials to the fairgrounds, where Denise McGovern-Gallagher, center, and youth volunteers put them in trailers to be taken to Clean Community Systems in Grand Island.
  • Rotarian Ken Quandt carries electronic equipment into the E-stroyed storage trailer during Saturday’s hazardous waste collection day at the fairgrounds.
    Rotarian Ken Quandt carries electronic equipment into the E-stroyed storage trailer during Saturday’s hazardous waste collection day at the fairgrounds.

    Hamilton County has approximately 12,000 pounds of paint and hazardous materials less in area basements and garages after Saturday’s Aurora Rotary Club collection effort, which drew more than 150 people to the fairgrounds.
    Denise McGovern-Gallagher, executive director of Grand Island Area Clean Community System, which disposed of the collected items, thanked those who both dropped off unwanted items and volunteered to help properly collect and dispose of the hazardous materials.
    “We appreciate everyone who helped with this project,” McGovern-Gallagher said. “This is a tremendous service to our community and our environment to make sure we are properly disposing of these hazardous materials.”
    Though her crew was still processing the materials on Monday, McGovern-Gallagher estimated that more than 12,000 pounds of paint, aerosols, fertilizers and other materials had been collected during the two-hour drop-off period. 
    In addition, Kurt Johnson, who helped coordinate this year’s Rotary project, said a trailer full of electronics was collected by E-stroyed in what owner Marty Pierson said was his biggest collection to date from the Rotary drive.
    Johnson also reported that the Paper Tiger, which was scheduled to be on hand Saturday to dispose of paper, was not available, but will be parked by Heritage Bank this Saturday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Heritage Bank parking lot in Aurora.
    Johnson also credited Rotarians, as well as youth volunteers representing the Aurora football team and AHS National Honor Society, for helping with the collection.
    “This is such a worthwhile effort, knowing we are protecting our environment by making sure these materials are properly disposed of,” Johnson said. “People driving through were so appreciative, and many gave generous donations to help support this effort, which the Rotary Club appreciates as well.”

    Clean Community Systems
    The Grand Island Area Clean Community Systems facility currently serve more than 120,000 residents in Hamilton, Hall, Adams, Howard and Merrick counties. For those who were unable to participate in Saturday’s collection effort in Aurora, the facility is open Monday through Friday and the first and third Saturdays of the month. It is located at 3661 Sky Park Road near the Grand Island Regional Airport.
    The staff offers one-stop proper and safe disposal of household hazardous waste. The majority of products accepted are paint, household cleaners, fertilizer, lawn chemicals, and unused oil. 
    “If you are unsure about whether we can accept an item, don’t throw it away; give us a call,” she said.
    For more information, contact the staff at GI Area Clean Community Systems at 308-385-5095.