Weekly household hazardous waste deport accepting unsafe baby products

The City of Kenora media release

Kenora, Ont. – The Kenora Transfer Station opened the Household Hazardous Waste depot Thursday for its third season.   
 
In addition to the lengthy list of hazardous substances accepted at the depot free of charge, the depot will also accept unsafe, damaged, or expired baby products.

The City of Kenora partnered with Safe Communities Kenora to create a regular drop off for these baby items. Safe Communities Kenora has hosted an annual one-day roundup event for unsafe baby items as part of Safe Kids Week for a number of years.

"We partnered with the City of Kenora to collect and dispose of old, damaged and unwanted items at no cost to residents dropping off the items," says Maria Bagdonas, Co-Chair of Safe Communities Kenora.

"Having unsafe baby products added to the list of items that can be disposed of on scheduled Household Hazardous Waste Days means that there is a smaller chance that old, damaged or recalled products will find their way into the second-hand market. It is an organized and convenient way to get rid of items and to be sure they are destroyed so they can't be reused or repurposed." 
 
Products such as baby walkers, cribs, car seats (infant, convertible, booster), playpens, strollers, baby gates, baby bath seats, or high chairs are now on the list of acceptable items.   
 
The once-a-week free service collected over 40 tons of hazardous waste in Kenora in the first two seasons, a significant amount of waste diverted from the landfill.   “We want to thank our residents for taking the time to dispose of toxic substances safely and properly,” says Mukesh Pokarel, Environmental Services Division Lead.  “We are expecting a busier depot now that we have added baby item disposal as well.”   
 
The HHW depot, located inside the Transfer Station, is open each Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. until September 27, 2018.

For more on what can be disposed at the specialize depot, visit Kenora.ca, download the free Recycle Coach app, or call 807-467-2980.