From drop-off to curbside, household hazardous waste collection is becoming an integral component of comprehensive recycling and waste management programs. David Galvin is an unassuming man. He speaks in measured tones, but he speaks with authority. Galvin initiated the program that collects and safely manages household hazardous wastes (HHW) for King County, Washington, arguably the most comprehensive and effective program of its type in the nation. King County serves 1.6 million residents in the greater Seattle area, taking in more than 1,400 tons of hazardous chemical waste each year at fixed and mobile drop-off collection facilities, and more than 1,500 additional tons of used motor oil. But waste collection is only part of the story. King County conducts a sophisticated education program that emphasizes waste prevention, trains "Green Gardeners," reaches out to thousands of students in the public schools, and offers both compliance assistance and small business waste collection.
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