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A couple dozen people gathered on October 29 at the County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, in North Branch, to commemorate the completion of a total rehab of the building and its storage yard.  The HHWF had become cramped and was not functioning as well as it could, so the state Pollution Control Agency, the county and city of North Branch cooperated on accomplishing a redesign of the building, which is at 39649 Grand Avenue, in the city industrial park.  Funding for the projects adding cold storage, safety and first aid space, access and improving offices was split 50-50 through a grant the county shared with the PCA.

The idea of creating a place to dispose of small amounts of products and waste that needs to be separated from the general wastestream,  was a novel concept when the HHWF opened over 20 years ago.   Operations are supported with money from the state SCORE funds (garbage hauling sales tax) and a solid waste fee the county collects based on property tax units.

Chisago County was in the forefront of realizing special attention was called for to keep chemicals and toxic materials out of the environment.  Gary Noren was an early advocate, working in Chisago County’s environmental services department and Paul Dennison, who just retired with 20 plus years,  was tapped to manage the facility.  Lisa Thibodeau has served as county solid waste administrator  over the years that the facility was refined.   (The three are in the center-front of the ribbon-cutting group photo, along with county commissioners and  staff.)

The goals driving the development of the facility were always to offer convenience for regular citizens who had problem items to dispose of — and to protect the environment.  

Current Environmental Services Director Kurt Schneider pointed out at the ribbon cutting that these goals proved to be shared with the public. Statistics now show 3,000 vehicle visits to the HHWF annually as people drop off everything from household cleaners and containers of paint, to oil and device batteries.  Clean, regularly accepted recyclables like cardboard, plastics and cans may be left at the secured drop bins the last Saturday of each month. 

Check the county website for updates on added programming or special events, but basically the facility is open the last Saturday of each month, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Mondays (non holiday) from  noon to 7 p.m.  

The citizens of Isanti, Chisago and Washington counties are able to utilize the facility under a reciprocity agreement.  If you are bringing more than four large totes (tubs) of materials/ products they ask that you call ahead 213-8920 and let them know you have an extra big load.

The HHWF also features a re-use room which consumers in the market for automotive products, paints, varnishes or a multitude of household cleaners, should check out.

Schneider said he has come to really appreciate the vision demonstrated some 25 years ago when Chisago County leaders embarked on addressing proper disposal of household quantities of problem materials. 

This site, he said, is a “beacon in this area” calling it a “small but mighty place and a true asset.”

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