SPSA : Press Room

(April 4, 2007 CHESAPEAKE, VA) – With outdoor grilling season at hand, the Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) is reminding residents with empty propane tanks or cylinders that they should take them to a SPSA facility for proper disposal, rather than put them in the garbage. Improper disposal can cause a deadly explosion. SPSA operates facilities in South Hampton Roads that accept propane cylinders. Residents can find their closest disposal locations by calling 420-4700 or visiting www.spsa.com.
A reminder of how dangerous propane containers can be occurred March 31, 2007 at a waste-to-energy plant in Rochester, Mass., called the SEMASS facility. A four-alarm fire broke out at the SEMASS plant when a propane tank went through a garbage shredder and burst into flames, causing heavy damage. Links to the story are below:

            SPSA consistently advises area residents of the health and safety threat from improperly disposing of propane, oxygen, acetylene, compressed gas tanks cylinders and other hazardous waste in the regular trash. Chuck Harrell, SPSA’s Superintendent of Environmental Management said, “With warmer weather and outdoor activities beginning such as cookouts, SPSA employees will work even harder to ensure we identify and remove propane tanks and cylinders, which have been improperly thrown in the garbage with regular trash.”
            He added, “Improper disposal of these items are a health and safety risk as they are fire hazards and can explode if mishandled.” According to Mr. Harrell, while danger exists at SPSA’s waste-to-energy facility, the danger is prevalent throughout the entire trash-disposal cycle. Mr. Harrell said “For example, a cylinder tossed out with the trash will land in a truck that compacts the garbage collected - and from that action you could have an explosion on the garbage truck.”
            Mr. Harrell further stated, “If nothing occurs at a SPSA transfer station or in the garbage truck, then something can still happen at SPSA’s waste-to-energy RDF plant mainly because the garbage goes through shredders there. And the shredders are where explosions will occur for sure,” as is believed to have happened the SEMASS facility.
            Virginia regulations also prohibit disposal of these items in a landfill. Visit www.spsa.com for information on SPSA’s household hazardous waste collection facilities. For more information, contact SPSA Public Information at (757) 420-4700.

SPSA has been providing efficient and environmentally sound waste disposal services to the region and its residents since 1985. SPSA’s solid waste management system includes waste-to-energy, yard waste composting, drop-off and curbside recycling as well as other recycling programs, household hazardous waste collection, landfilling, landfill gas-to-energy and education programs. This integrated waste management system enables SPSA to put 57% of the waste it receives to a beneficial use, thus allowing the region to reduce its dependence on landfills.