News Release 386

DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES SECOND APPLICATION PERIOD
FOR SCHOOL CHEMICAL CLEANOUT PROJECT

Volume 36-386

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 27, 2008 -- Is your school storing outdated, dangerous and unstable chemicals in the labs, storerooms or other classrooms?  These chemicals can pose a significant public health and safety threat to students and faculty.  The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is providing financial and compliance assistance to schools in Missouri to properly dispose of certain unwanted chemicals.

The department is announcing it will conduct a second application period for Phase Two of the School Chemical Cleanout Project. The department received applications from 63 schools seeking to participate in the project during an open application period that began in April and ended in May. With one-time funding remaining available, the department will again be accepting applications for participation in the project from July 1 and continuing through Sept. 30 to allow time for additional schools to complete the application process.  All of Missouri's public and private elementary, middle, vocational or high schools are encouraged to apply.

"As a former science teacher familiar with strange chemicals in school science lab closets, this project is a priority for me," said Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers.  "The previous application period fell during a busy time for most schools as it was near the end of the school year.  I want to thank those schools that were able to find the time to submit applications, and I encourage those that did not to take advantage of this second opportunity."

Working with local schools and school districts, the Department of Natural Resources, the Center for Safe Schools and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education want to remove and safely dispose of outdated, dangerous and unstable laboratory and instructional use chemicals from science and chemistry labs, storerooms and other classrooms in elementary, middle, vocational or high schools. 

The department intends to pay the disposal cost for schools that apply and are accepted into the project.  Schools chosen to participate will be required to complete the required application and related forms and, if accepted, pay a registration fee of $100 as a hazardous waste generator.

Currently under way, phase one of the project is cleaning up chemicals from nearly 100 schools that have been working with the Center for Safe Schools over the past year.  The Department of Natural Resources will be paying for contractors to properly remove and dispose of the dangerous chemicals inventoried.

This project is not intended to remove other wastes, such as industrial cleaners, floor waxes, paint or paint waste, thinners, road salt, pesticides, batteries, waste oil or other wastes from shop or agricultural classes.

For more information on the School Chemical Cleanout Project, contact the department's Environmental Services Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-526-3315, or visit the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/schoolcleanout.htm.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming events, meetings and hearings, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/oac/calendar.htm.

 

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