Pollution Prevention for Households

Pollution Prevention is not limited to businesses, but includes important steps that household residents can take to prevent pollution and gain information. The URI Home-A-Syst Program and the Eco-Depot are two examples.

Eco-Depot

A visit to Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation's Eco-Depot in Johnston provides proper disposal of common household hazardous wastes such as oil based paints, paint thinner, automotive fluids, aerosol products, pesticides and herbicides, swimming pool and hobby chemicals, and propane tanks from barbecue grills. Collections are on scheduled dates and by appointment, to give quick, convenient service. To learn more about collection events in Johnston and at "on the road" collection events, and learn about household hazardous waste management, see rirrc.org.

Home-A-Syst Program

Visit URI Cooperative Extension Services Home-A-Syst Program, a pollution prevention program for households that teaches residents how to assess both environmental and health risks in and around the home, and how to correct identified problems. The program provides information on many topics such as septic systems, water quality including source water assessments, drinking water from public and private sources, water conservation, and household hazardous waste. Find them at uri.edu/ce/wq/has/html/has.html.

DEM Used Oil Program

Do-it-yourself oil changers need community based, convenient options to properly dispose of their used oil and used oil filters. DEM's Used Oil and Used Oil Filter Collection & Recycling Program provides that, with program collection sites in virtually every community in Rhode Island. It is limited to a maximum five gallon drop-off per visit, and it must be generated from a household. Used oil and used oil filters collected are recycled. Find out more about oil recycling, collection site locations and contact information as well as waste oil vendors that provide used oil and used oil filter collection for businesses.