Tillamook, Oregon: At the Northwest regional meeting of the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA), more than 150 experts dedicated to minimizing the impact of hazardous materials convened this year in Tacoma, Washington for a series of training and presentations. Participants came from not only the Pacific Northwest, but from as far away as Texas and Pennsylvania.
Tillamook County’s Solid Waste Program Manager David McCall was one of four individuals presented with a Golden Bung award. “A bung is the cap used to seal off barrels to prevent spillage and in the case of this award is symbolic of controlling the disposal of hazardous waste. This award is bestowed on individuals who were able to document particularly unusual hazardous materials that came into their programs, and were safely disposed of,” explains Sue Owens, Tillamook County Solid Waste Education and Outreach Specialist.
This year the award, which McCall accepted on behalf of the department and the team of dedicated people who make these events possible, were given for materials noteworthy for not only their toxicity, but also their age.
One bottle of Ammonium Chloride, shown here, included a manufacturing date of 1950, 
while two other bottles (containing the infamous DDT and the poison Carbon Tetrachloride) had zip codes indicating that they were manufactured between 1943 and 1963. The county’s contractor, Stericycle Environmental Services, ensured that these 50+ year old toxins were properly disposed of, and no longer pose a threat to the environment.
This is the fourth consecutive year that McCall has returned from NAHMMA with an award, recognizing the strides made in the county’s program.
“These awards are great, but I’m really just doing my job,” said McCall. “It’s unfortunate that there are hazardous materials out there, but when people come across old chemicals and dangerous materials, it’s important that they have a place where they can safely dispose of them. By bringing them to our facility, people can rest assured that their homes are free from hazards like this, and keep them safe for their kids and grandkids, as well as themselves.”
Businesses who register in advance can dispose of their hazardous materials on Friday, October 5, 2018, and there will be a residential collection event on 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 6, 2018.
For more details about the Tillamook County Hazardous Waste results or recycling in general, please contact the Tillamook County Solid Waste Department at www.co.tillamook.or.us/gov/SolidWaste or call 503-815-3975.
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In accordance with Tillamook County Solid Waste Ordinance No. 4, Tillamook County regulates solid waste management, providing a coordinated solid waste management program “to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people, and the natural and scenic resources of Tillamook County.” The Tillamook County Solid Waste Department operates as a function of Public Works. For more information on waste prevention and recycling, please visit www.co.tillamook.or.us/gov/solidwaste .