County wants your toxic waste

When you wander around your house or garage, or open your cabinet doors, do you find yourself looking at old paint cans, jugs of used motor oil and antifreeze, unused and outdated pesticides and herbicides, or containers of dirty paint thinner?

For most of us, this situation seems to be an almost unavoidable fact of modern life. But at the same time, most of us are also aware these types of materials are hazardous to the environment if they are not disposed of properly.

That’s why Warren County is once again sponsoring a household hazardous waste collection event this Saturday, Oct. 1 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Three Star Mall.

Every family in Warren County will be allowed to bring up to 100 pounds of household hazardous waste at no charge, with the assurance it will be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner.

According to information provided about the program, household hazardous waste is defined as corrosive, flammable, toxic or reactive materials used in your home, car or truck, or in your garden and lawn. The program will also accept computers, televisions and fluorescent bulbs.

Items that will not be accepted include commercial waste, materials in open containers, medical wastes (this includes needles), explosives, radioactive materials or tires.

These programs have been very successful in the past. According to information provided by the county’s Litter Grant Coordinator Mary Lou Ward, last year’s event served 369 vehicles and collected a total of 14,982 pounds of hazardous household waste materials.

For more information on the event contact Ward at 473-2381.