New Toxic-Waste Disposal to Shield Water Supply

EDGARTOWN, Mass. — The first permanent household hazardous-waste collection center on the East Coast opened Friday in this Martha’s Vineyard community.

James Gutensohn, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Management, said the project is especially important to Martha’s Vineyard because a single underground water source, or aquifer, supplies the entire island.

“We are reducing the threat to the water supply that stems from disposing of these wastes in a landfill,” Gutensohn said.

Until now, the only way to dispose of household hazardous wastes such as paints, solvents and pesticides was to wait for a once-a-year collection day.