Toxic Free Tips - Lewis County Pilot Project

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LEWIS COUNTY PILOT PROJECT

Lewis County Pilot Project

Overview

August 2008

What is the Lewis County Pilot Project?
Ecology is teaming up with Lewis County’s Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling program and other local partners to conduct an exciting pilot project for Lewis County residents. Our goal is to provide accurate, reliable information so households can make informed decisions about hazardous products.

Free Community Events

Household Study

Why are we doing this?
Many everyday products contain toxic chemicals and hazardous substances. These products can be harmful to the environment and human health.

Although everyone can benefit from ToxicFreeTips – the program is designed especially for households with young children and pets, new households, and households who are relocating. We want these households to shop smart and use hazardous products with care. We want Lewis County households to know about the Lewis County Hazo-Hut, Ecology’s 1-800-RECYCLE, and other options for environmentally-friendly disposal of hazardous products.

We hope Lewis County households will:

Increase their SAFE USE and DISPOSAL of hazardous products.
Increase their USE of SAFER ALTERNATIVES.

Why is this important?

INFANTS and YOUNG CHILDREN are especially vulnerable to toxic chemicals and hazardous substances. Pound for pound, children breathe more air, drink more water, and eat more food than adults. Being kids, they also put their hands and toys in their mouths and play on the ground – coming in contact with toxic chemicals in ways that adults don’t.
While the neurological and development effects of toxic chemicals are not entirely known, we know that pre-natal exposure to chemicals like lead and mercury harms children – and the effects are permanent. More.
PETS - like young children – spend a lot of time in the dirt, on the floor and furniture – collecting dust and dirt contaminated with flame-retardants, pesticides, and other toxic chemicals. Pets, especially cats, then clean their fur and swallow the toxic chemicals. Households with pets should read the label first to protect their pets. More.
NEW and RELOCATING HOUSEHOLDS tend to purchase and throw away hazardous and toxic products when they move. We want this group to use the Lewis County Hazo-Hut and other environmentally-friendly disposal options to reduce the amount of hazardous products going to local landfills.

How are we doing it?
Households will be offered free educational events such as “Making Your Own Household Cleaners” workshops, and classes with toxicology experts. ToxicFreeTips will also provide free educational materials and invite households to take part in a scientific study.

Teachers will be offered training in a newly revised Hazards on the HomeFront curriculum for grades 6-12. Ecology has partnered with King County and the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) to revise King County’s well-proven curriculum, and provide teacher trainings in Lewis, Yakima and Kitsap County. More >>

We will ask Lewis County residents to tell us what they think about ToxicFreeTips. We will use event evaluations and training outcomes, and conduct a household survey. Ecology will use Lewis County’s feedback to improve the program before spreading it statewide.

How can you get involved?
Want to receive reminders and updates about Lewis County events and activities? Email us. We will send you email notices a few times, and will not share your information with others.