Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department’s (ACEPD) will receive three Awards at the upcoming North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA) Florida Caribbean Annual meeting on May 3^, 2011, in Lakeland, Florida. 

The Hazardous Waste Collection Program was selected as the winner of the 2011 “Pollution Prevention Award”.  The award recognizes a government agency or private company for outstanding service in promoting pollution prevention and the reduction of hazardous components in the waste streams. The Hazardous Waste Collection Program services include: stale gasoline pump out service for boats, free residential home heating oil tank pump out service, collection of fluorescent and CFLs’ at 14 locations in Alachua County, and collection of pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter medications at 8 locations. Additionally, the program collects electronic scrap (E-scrap), operates a Recycle/Reuse Area at the Hazardous Waste Collection Program Center, and hosts mobile Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events in small cities and large neighborhoods in the County. The HHW Program also hosts an annual recycled latex paint giveaway for not for profit agencies and community groups at no cost.

The Hazardous Materials Program was selected as the winner of the 2011 “Community Service Award” for the implementation of the Hazardous Materials Electronic Library. The award recognizes programs that go beyond inspections and waste collections to do community outreach. The Hazardous Materials Programs conducts compliance assistance and verification inspections on the proper management and disposal of hazardous materials and hazardous waste in over 1100 regulated businesses in the County. The Hazardous Materials Electronic Database was created to provide fast and easy online access to the compliance information on the regulated facilities.  The Database contains current and historical information on over 8900 business going back to the creation of the Hazardous Materials Program in 1991.

Finally, Chris Gilbert, Senior Environmental Specialist with the Hazardous Materials Program will receive the 2011 NAHMMA Florida Caribbean Chapter “Most Inspirational Member Award.” The award is given to recognize the NAHMMA member that has been an inspiration for the organization and its members. Chris has been with Alachua County since 2001 and is currently the NAHMMA Florida Caribbean Chapter Workshop Chair, webmaster and member of the training committee.

“Alachua County is very honored to receive these awards, which reflect the hard work, creativity, and dedication of our staff” said Chris Bird, Alachua County’s Environmental Protection Director.

For more information about NAHMMA, click here.

For more information about the HHW program click here, or contact Household Hazardous Waste Coordinator Kurt Seaburg at 352-334-0440.

For more information about the Hazardous Materials Program click here, or contact Gus Olmos, Water Resources Supervisor at 352-264-6806.