For those of you that took advantage of Bridgeport’s first-ever Hazardous Waste Disposal Day last year, there’s some good news. A similar event has been planned for this year and a date has been chosen.

 

Bridgeport City Clerk Andrea Kerr said that on Nov. 12 the city will once again team up with the Harrison County Solid Waste Authority to hold a waste disposal day. Kerr said there is a slim chance the date could change, but the event is pretty well set for that day at this time. This year, however, it will be slightly different.

 

“This time around we’re going to be accepting paint only,” said Kerr. “Last year, paint made up approximately 86 percent of the items that were disposed of during the day. We recognize there was a high need for paint disposal.”

 

Once again, the event is not just for Bridgeport residents. The event is open to all Harrison County residents. Bridgeport Police, Kerr said, will be on hand to make sure that policy is followed so everyone that plans on attending needs to bring proper identification showing they are from Harrison County.

 

Kerr said the initial pick up day was an overwhelming success. Roughly 1,000 vehicle from all across the county showed up. In fact, there were so many items that arrived that the set amount of tonnage that was agreed to be accepted was met early. Kerr said last year the HCSWA stepped up and paid for the amount over what was agreed to be accepted.

 

There was one issue last year and it very well could be an issue this year. Last year, traffic was stretched out for quite a distance along Route 131 and all the way up through the entrance to the Bridgeport Recreation Complex.

 

“That was the only issue and that’s a result of so many people coming during the time period,” said Kerr. “The police officers did a good job of checking IDs and making it go as fast as possible, but when you have that many people you’re going to have traffic.”

 

Kerr is hoping that many people got rid of their items last year, including paint. And that could, she said, cut down on the numbers this year.

 

“Last year you had people that got rid of stuff that was in their homes or on their property for years,” she said. “This year we’re hoping that will eliminate as much of a need for what’s being offered, but we still know there is a need for this.”

 

Kerr said due to the fact that only paint is being accepted this year that the cost incurred to put on the event will drop dramatically. In fact, she said it’s very likely that a grant that is being applied for – a one similar to one received last year to help cover costs – will cover all expenses this time around.

 

“Richard Barnett of the Solid Waste Authority is submitting the application for a grant and we’re confident that his work will be rewarded with the grant,” said Kerr. “If, and we believe when, the grant is received we’ll put it out to bid for a company to handle the event.”

 

In the event the grant wouldn’t cover the cost, Kerr said she would approach Council about helping to subsidize it. She said Council supported the first event and have indicated that they want to see it happen again.

 

The effort between the city and the SWA involves the city providing use of the Recreation Complex and police officers with the SWA likely handling the rest of the logistics. The only other uncertainty currently is the time on that day the event will take place. Last year’s was held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Once a time is finalized, it will be announced on Connect-Bridgeport.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the site some have in their homes that can partially be remedied with this event. Bottom photo shows the traffic encountered by many, including Bridgeport's Lou Aragona's view from his vehicle, last year.