Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Kokua Line
Question: On Jan. 6, I called the Department of Health Solid Waste Disposal Division to ask where I could safely and legally dispose of six empty laser printer cartridges. The first person wasn't sure, so she connected me to another person, who told me, "Just throw them in the trash." I was stunned. When I asked if she was absolutely sure, she said, "Yes, you're not a high volume contributor." Afterward, I got to thinking, what if every small business like mine disposed of their empty cartridges in the regular trash. That would lead to a collective "high volume contributor," don't you think? So, was this information I received accurate? I still have the empties so won't dispose of them until I'm sure it's safe and legal. Refill empty laser
printer cartridgesAnswer: Don't toss -- recycle.
We called the state Office of Solid Waste Management Division and were given much different information from Carrie McCabe, who said she got it from Gail Suzuki-Jones and Michael Owens, of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism's Clean Hawaii Center, with guidance from Grace Simmons, supervisor of the state Hazardous Waste Section.
Hazardous waste regulations require the generator of the waste to determine if it is or is not hazardous and to comply with regulations if it is.
However, empty laser printer cartridges would not be considered hazardous waste, under state regulations. "Disposal is allowable, but remanufacturing is preferred," McCabe said.
Laser printer cartridges are refillable and reusable. Many sellers encourage the return of used cartridges when purchasing new ones. Some even give a discount for the exchange.
We were given the names of several local companies that sell the cartridges and will collect and remanufacture used ones: Kamaaina Copier Supply; KWK Marketing Inc.; Laser Age; and Laser Recharge Specialists.
There also are some local small-scale remanufacturers of used cartridges. Check the Yellow Pages under Copiers & Supplies and Computer Supplies & Parts.
Another one pointed out by DBEDT is Intrade Corp., a used cartridge broker in Kalihi that deals internationally. It will pay cash for empties.
Consumers are advised to ask about the proper disposal of their products at the time of purchase, McCabe said.
Check DBEDT's Web site for more information about recycled and environmentally preferable products: www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/chc.
Q: I live on Uwau Drive in Aiea and have a problem with my neighbors blocking my driveway. What are the laws governing this? When I ask them to move their cars, they claim they are being harassed. I have called 911 and was told it is not against the law to park one's car in front of a driveway if the whole car sits on the road. We couldn't get in or out of our driveway. Am I legally within my rights to just call a towing company and have the car towed at the owner's expense?
A: There must have been some misunderstanding between you and the 911 operator because it is illegal to block a driveway.
If it happens again, the proper procedure IS to call 911, said police spokeswoman Michelle Yu. After receiving your complaint, police monitored your street for a 24-hour period and found only one violation of a vehicle parked in front of a driveway. But it was a resident blocking his own driveway, Yu said.
Meanwhile, tow companies will not tow cars on public streets without police authorization.
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com