Hazardous waste site opened

Richard Stalnaker found a can of calcium carbide in his mother’s garage a few weeks ago. He suspects it’s been there for decades.

The chemical compound, used in carbide lamps, creates an explosive gas on contact with water. Stalnaker, of Canal Fulton, said he didn’t know what to do with it but knew he shouldn’t toss it out.

Last week, he left it at 742 Schroyer Ave. SW, which will be the only tricounty area site collecting household hazardous waste when it officially opens today.

The operation is housed in a city building, staffed by the Canton Health Department and funded by the Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Joint Solid Waste District. The district’s money comes from landfill tipping fees.

“Canton will be the hub for all the residents to bring their material,” said district Executive Director David Held.

The waste district will give the Health Department $35,000 to help cover the cost of managing the site and pay up to $300,000 a year for disposal. Held said the Clean Harbors disposal company will incinerate the waste in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency requirements.

The district previously hosted drop-offs in August at Stark State and in September at what is now TimkenSteel. They ended in 2009 after becoming too labor intensive and costly. “The expense was nearing a million dollars a year,” Held said.