FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 31, 2012
Media Contact: Robbie Wilbur,
MDEQ, 601-961-5277
MDEQ PROVIDES DEBRIS CLEAN UP GUIDANCE
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is
providing guidance on debris separation for home owners, business
operators, and others as they clean up their properties. In many cases,
the debris in and around houses or businesses may contain hazardous
materials or contaminants mixed with other nonhazardous debris items.
Nonhazardous wastes and debris including vegetative material such as tree
limbs will generally need to be disposed at a municipal solid waste
landfill or a class I rubbish disposal site or recycled at a legitimate
recycling facility. Household hazardous materials should be collected
separately from other debris for disposal.
The following guidelines will aid in properly disposing of debris and other
wastes. In addition, MDEQ Solid Waste staff are available for
clarification at 601-961-5304.
Don't throw away household hazardous waste materials. Collect and
contain them in their original container, if possible, or in a
plastic bin or tub for disposal at a household hazardous waste
collection site or event. Do not mix these materials in the same
container. If a household hazardous collection site or event is not
being held in your area, please contact the MDEQ Solid Waste staff to
help you find an appropriate method of disposing of the material.
Household hazardous wastes would include the following types of
household items:
Antifreeze.
Fuels (gasoline, propane, diesel, kerosene, etc.)
Fuel containers or canisters.
Motor and hydraulic oils.
Paints, stains, and varnishes.
Paint thinner.
Solvents.
Other cleaning supplies and chemicals.
Pesticides, herbicides, and other farm/lawn chemicals.
Household thermostats and thermometers.
Structural components, vegetative debris, and the contents of a home
or building that have been contacted by flood waters or damaged by
the high winds associated with storm events may need to be disposed.
Structural components will include sheetrock/drywall, carpeting, wood
components, electrical components, flooring, doors, and other
physical parts of the structure. Vegetative debris will include
downed trees, limbs, brush, and other similar materials. The damaged
contents of homes and buildings may include household furnishings,
appliances, electronics, clothing, food items and other personal
items. Personal items contacted by flood waters such as medications,
cosmetics, and other similar personal grooming items should not be
used and should also be disposed.
Do NOT burn vegetative storm debris or other debris from houses,
businesses and other structures. Open burning of such debris is
prohibited by state and federal laws and regulations.
Wear protective clothing and gloves when handling storm debris as it
may have become contaminated by raw sewage and/or hazardous chemicals
released by flood waters.
Be cautious of sharp objects or other hazards in standing water.
Lookout for snakes and rodents that may have taken refuge in your
house during the storm event. Snakes tend to find high and dry
hiding spots, such as an attic or the top of ceiling tiles, while
rodents are more prone to be found in the walls and attic spaces.
When removing debris from a damaged building be cautious as the
structural integrity of the building may not be sound.
Look for exposed power lines or other safety hazards present when
removing vegetative debris.
Some building materials -- pipe insulation, electrical insulation
flooring, ceiling ties, roofing materials, and siding -- may contain
asbestos. Caution should be used in demolishing and/or renovating
these structures so as to not crush or grind up the asbestos
containing materials. (See MDEQ's guidance on asbestos and lead
paint).
Segregate debris according to how the items will be disposed or
recycled. Local governments will provide information on how the
clean-up and collection of storm debris will occur in that area.
Dispose of debris in the manner that is developed for your community.
This may mean hauling the debris directly to a permitted landfill or
to a local storm debris staging or collection site or placing the
debris near the public road for collection. Additional information
will be forthcoming in your community about how debris will be
managed and collected.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
Solid Waste Management Programs
P.O. Box 2261, Jackson, MS 39225
Phone: 601-961-5171
www.deq.state.ms.us
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