With the Atlantic hurricane season in full swing and residents in the Gulf Coast already feeling the effects after this month’s Hurricane Barry, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and waste and recycling associations are encouraging the public to prepare for potential massive cleanup efforts.
“EPA’s response to natural disasters is one of the many ways that we protect human health and the environment,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler in a statement. “We want to inform the public of how they can prepare for hurricane season and help protect their communities, the environment and first responders by mitigating hazardous waste and securing potential harmful debris before storms strike.”
Debris and household hazardous waste management is challenging during natural disasters and has a big impact on public safety. While wildfires and other natural disasters can be unpredictable, events like hurricanes and flooding allow for a little more time to prepare. With help from waste and recycling industry officials, Waste360 offers cleanup tips for managing waste and debris before and after a disaster strikes.