According to Bridgeport City Clerk Andrea Kerr, it’s all but official. Thanks to multiple government agencies agreeing to pitch in, Kerr said not only does it appear that a “Hazardous Waste Day” will be taking place in the next few months for all of Harrison County, but it’s possible there could actually be a couple.

 

“Thanks to several organizations agreeing to contribute to this day we may be in position to have one huge pickup day for hazardous waste in the county or we could consider budgeting for two days,” said Kerr. “Right now, that’s more of a discussion point as to whether we’ll actually have it.”

 

Last month, Kerr announced the City of Bridgeport was looking to spearhead and host a Harrison County-wide hazardous waste pickup day. The day would allow for various items such as cans of paint, cans of motor oil, old cleaning supplies and other items that may contain a chemical not accepted by most landfills throughout West Virginia to be removed from households.

 

“Since we started working, we’ve had the Harrison County Commission commit to funding and now we have the City of Clarksburg and the Clarksburg Water Board agreeing to put up money to making this a success,” said Kerr. “I plan on asking the Bridgeport City Council about donating at the next City Council meeting (April 27).”

 

Kerr and Richard Barnett from the Harrison County Solid Waste Authority have been asking for $5,000 contributions. The County Commission agreed to donate up to that amount depending upon the dollar figure that was needed to make it move forward. Although Kerr said a day could cost more than $20,000 and that donations – including a recent $5,000 contribution from Waste Management – could easily exceed that, the best thing to do would be to have more than one day if possible.

 

“It would be a great problem to have to actually have more than what it would cost to do this for one day,” said Kerr. “We still have to make sure we have official commitments, put a bid package together and then see an actual cost for doing it once or perhaps doing it twice.”

 

Kerr said a grant application has already been made for several thousands of dollars. Kerr also said the Harrison County Solid Waste Authority has also agreed to put up money for the day beyond the success or failure of the grant application.

 

“I’ve been amazed at the amount of feedback we’ve received on this from the community,” said Kerr. “So many people have asked about what they can dispose of if it happens and we’ll finalize that once it becomes reality. I’ve also had people tell me that they don’t want to have to hide these things in their regular trash, which we know happens, and it should really be beneficial to the environment.”

 

Kerr said any group wishing to contribute – as well as anyone individually – can do so by contacting her office. She can be reached at 304-842-8233.

 

Editor's Note: Amanda Marks is shown presenting Bridgeport Mayor Robert Greer with a check for $5,000 for the planned Hazardous Waste pickup day during a recent City Council meeting, while the bottom photo shows a sight common in homes throughout Harrison County.