The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) reminds residents to exercise caution and to follow safe practices when disposing of hot ash waste from wood stoves and fireplaces.
"With the change of seasons upon us, the home heating season also will be in full force," explained Heidi Ringhofer, operations and maintenance supervisor for WLSSD solid waste programs. "Everyone who burns wood in heating appliances like wood stoves and fireplaces will generate significant quantities of ash waste. Ash waste should never be put in household garbage as it poses a danger to garbage haulers, their equipment and facilities. The hot embers retain heat and may re-ignite days or even weeks after being removed from heating and burning appliances if they are not fully cooled or extinguished. Ashes should only be stored in secure metal containers - preferably out-of-doors."
WLSSD's Materials Recovery Center provides for free ash disposal in metal containers at the site. District residents can safely dispose of their ash waste at the facility once ashes are fully extinguished. Residents requiring additional information are encouraged to call the WLSSD Hotline at (218) 722-0761.
The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District provides regional solid waste services for northeastern Minnesota and operates its wastewater treatment plant in Lincoln Park (West End) Duluth.
