Radioactive Waste Found In 2 Loads Of Southbury Trash, Town Says

SOUTHBURY, CT — Two loads of trash from the Southbury Transfer Station tested positive for radioactive materials after medical waste was improperly discarded at the facility, town officials announced Tuesday.

In a Nov. 3 notice, the town said the discovery created disposal problems and reminded residents that radioactive and hazardous materials are prohibited at the transfer station.

According to town officials, when radioactive waste is mixed with municipal solid waste, the receiving disposal facility rejects the entire trailer load.

The town must then pay to locate, isolate, store and properly dispose of the radioactive material.

Officials did not specify what type of medical waste was involved, how much radioactive material was detected or how much the incident would cost the town.

The town also did not indicate when the waste was discarded or whether the material posed any risk to residents or transfer station employees.

Under Section 8-17 of Southbury's Code of Ordinances, radioactive and other hazardous wastes are classified as unacceptable waste and cannot be disposed of at the transfer station.

Residents who have potentially radioactive materials should contact the supplier for instructions on proper disposal, town officials said.

The town issued the reminder in a notice titled "Transfer Station Radioactive Materials Notice," published Tuesday on its official website.

Read the full notice on the Town of Southbury website.