Bend Weekly News for Bend Oregon

Avoid burning that will create air pollution health problems; separate hazardous materials for proper disposal

Oregon residents can dispose of storm debris at several local solid waste facilities and special debris collection sites. Information about disposal options is available at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Web site at www.deq.state.or.us or by contacting Robert Vance at 503-229-5600, 503-229-5393 or 800-452-4011. Find more information about Oregon's severe winter storm efforts on the Governor's Web site at www.governor.oregon.gov

Local debris collection sites are listed below by county. DEQ is coordinating with affected counties to set up other storm debris collection sites and will post updates on the Web site.

DEQ urges residents to use proper methods for disposing of storm debris while taking care to separate hazardous materials and not burn these materials.

Separate debris for disposal into separate piles for vegetation (trees, branches, limbs); household trash (garbage, paper, food, etc.); household hazardous wastes (paints, cleaners, pesticides, solvents, oil, etc.); white goods (stoves, refrigerators, appliances); and other materials (trash, building matter, carpets, furniture, etc.).

Burning certain waste including rubber and plastics is prohibited. DEQ strongly recommends not burning to protect human health from harmful fine particles and toxic air pollutants in smoke. Give priority to chipping or grinding wood waste and yard debris for reuse. DEQ will provide assistance to find locations to use or store this chipped wood waste and yard debris.