Hazardous Waste Day: Too Successful?

Darien's annual hazardous waste recycling may have been too much of a good thing. 

More than 500 cars waited up to an hour in searing heat on Saturday to dispose of old paint, poisons and household chemicals.

The long wait, as cars snaked through the Noroton Heights rail station parking lot, was exacerbated by huge traffic jams through-out town from mid-morning to early afternoon.  An overturned tandem tractor trailer truck in Norwalk made I-95 a parking lot, sending frustrated motorists off the highway onto local streets.

SMOOTH OPERATION

But once the cars reached the drop-off point for their perilous cargo, the system worked smoothly. 

Drivers never had to leave the comfort of their air conditioned cars. Workers came straight to each vehicle, logging in dump permits and off-loading their hazardous waste. 

TYPICAL CUSTOMER

One waste donor, Rich Terhune of  Patricia Lane was typical. 

"I've got three cans of paint, joint compound, lacquer remover, and three boxes of rat poison and pesticide," he said while waiting in line. 

Terhune said some of the hazardous materials had been in his house for three years and it was his wife's "suggestion" that got him to the event.

"I've been to these hazardous waste days in New Canaan," he said.  "But while I'm okay with waiting, this one could be better managed."

Once collected, paint cans were opened and paint was deposited in 50 gallon drums.  Empty paint cans went into a plastic-lined dumpster while hazardous aerosols, old household chemicals and solvents were separated and placed in giant cardboard containers for removal.

LONG DAY

This year's Hazardous Waste Day was to run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., but more than 50 cars were waiting in line at the official closing time.

Darien DPW workers said they would try to serve all vehicles that got in line by the 1 p.m. cut-off.