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Solid Waste board approves one‑time acceptance of student vapes for ToxAway Day, asks school district for plan
Summary
The Vanderburgh County Solid Waste Management District Board voted 4‑3 to accept three totes of confiscated vapes and e‑cigarettes from a school‑education program for disposal at the boards upcoming ToxAway Day, with the expectation the school district will develop a long‑term plan and fund future disposals.
The Vanderburgh County Solid Waste Management District Board voted 4‑3 to accept, on a one‑time basis, three totes of confiscated vapes and e‑cigarettes collected by the nonprofit Smoke Free Evansville for disposal at the districts ToxAway Day event.
Andrea Spalding, identified in the meeting as the youth education coordinator for Smoke Free Evansville, told the board she had collected three totes weighing about 210 pounds from students at 19 Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC) schools. Spalding asked whether the district could accept the material at the district's hazardous‑waste collection event. The items were described in the meeting as acutely hazardous because they contain nicotine and lithium batteries.
During discussion board members cited precedent that the district generally accepts household hazardous waste rather than materials collected by organizations or businesses. One board member (unnamed) said, "I'm passionately anti smoking, and I believe what she's doing is valuable," but noted concern about opening a precedent and ongoing costs. Other board members said the items present a safety hazard in school offices and needed safe disposal.
After debate the board approved a motion to accept the three totes for the upcoming ToxAway Day and directed Spalding and Smoke Free Evansville to work with EVSC to develop a plan for future collections and funding. The board reported the contractor's disposal rate at $5.50 per pound; at approximately 210 pounds, the immediate disposal cost to the district was estimated at about $1,200.
Board discussion referenced prior requests from organizations (including an earlier request from a local events venue) that the board had declined; members who opposed the motion cited fairness and budget precedent. During the vote several members requested that Spalding seek EVSC assistance with contractor arrangements going forward and report back to the board with a plan.
Action recorded: one‑time acceptance of three totes of vapes/e‑cigarettes for disposal at ToxAway Day; estimated disposal cost $5.50 per pound (total approximately $1,200); motion carried 4‑3. The board requested the organizer to coordinate with Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation on a long‑term plan and funding for future collections. No ordinance or ongoing funding commitment was authorized at the meeting.
ToxAway Day is scheduled for Sept. 7 in the Civic Center parking lot; the board also listed related fall events (paper shredding and electronics recycling) on the meeting agenda.
