Under The Sink

Under the Sink Tour

Do you know how to throw out the old and unused chemicals hidden under the sink, in the garage or elsewhere? Omaha, Douglas and Sarpy County environment and Public Works leaders are working to make it easier.

Cleaners, bleach, lawn chemicals and paint are just a few examples of things that are known as special solid waste or stuff that can't be dumped into the toilet or thrown out with the regular trash.

Monday, city and county leaders asked for the public's help in developing new and cheaper ways to get rid of the special solid waste.

Marcia Jones found some time Monday to pick up some items for her crafts. When's she's done with a project, she often needs more than simple soap and water to clean up.

"Soft scrub, sink cleaner and spray for like a disinfectant spray, like an all purpose cleaner," Jones said. She keeps all of that under her sink.

Omaha Public Works Manager Marty Grate explained Monday that “Under the Sink” is the place to take those special solid waste products. "This is a facility that has additional potential, we can do more. It's just a matter of where does the public want to go with it? How do we fund it and what are our priorities in this point in time?”

One of the most common things “Under the Sink” disposes of is paint, whether it's old or expired, it can be dropped off. Workers will come out to the car and they will take care of it by disposing of it securely and safely.

According to Grate, “Under the Sink” was built in 2005 as a regional site, open to all residents in Douglas and Sarpy Counties for a special solid waste disposal site.

Now, public works leaders want to expand similar services in the area, the goal is to increase solid waste management efficiency. Like having one trash truck make a run to a landfill or consolidating recycling to a similar regional site.

“Under the Sink” currently operates on a budget made up of grant money, with an annual budget under $1 million.

The first phase of the solid waste research and planning is just about to end. The second phase is the public input phase. During this phase, Grate says, one of the options they'd like to consider is expanding operations but that comes with an annual budget need of over $1 million.

Also in the public input phase, counties will gather public opinion through a mix of public meetings, survey's and online research.

Over the course of the next six months, these leaders will assess what and how they can expand operations. Then make a recommendation to elected officials.