CBJ Household Hazardous Waste facility shuts due to bear spray contamination

Unsecured can releases inside facility, which may remain closed for cleaning until middle of next week, according to CBJ

Juneau’s Household Hazardous Waste facility. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Juneau Independent staff

The contents of an unsecured can of bear spray were released in Juneau’s Household Hazardous Waste facility, which was closed early Saturday and may remain shut until the middle of next week for cleanup, according to a City and Borough of Juneau announcement.

"HHW will reopen once the facility and all contaminated materials have been cleaned and it is safe for staff and residents," the announcement on CBJ’s Facebook page Saturday afternoon states.

The closure comes as Suicide Basin is expected to reach its fill level by Monday or Tuesday, with a break in the ice dam causing a glacial lake outburst flood within six days afterward. CBJ officials have warned residents and businesses in the flood-risk zone to take numerous precautions, including ensuring hazardous materials are not in areas where they can be washed away.

"We recognize the terrible timing with residents doing their part to avoid hazardous spills by dropping off ahead of the upcoming GLOF," the city’s Facebook announcement states. "We are working hard to open as quickly as possible and will provide updates to this post once available."

Information about the facility and tips for dropping off materials are at https://juneau.org/engineering-public-works/recycleworks/hazardous-waste.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.