|
|
|
Weather:77°FMostly Cloudy |
Home, garden and garage chemical waste can accumulate from any project throughout the year. Spring cleaning, selling or buying a house and home improvement projects often leave behind some household hazardous waste that should be disposed of properly.
Berrien County does not operate a permanent household hazardous waste drop-off center, but there are collection options for these materials.
Berrien County residents can bring their household hazardous waste to nine collections scheduled throughout the year.
“Sometimes I receive calls from residents stating they missed the collection in their area,” said Jill Adams, Berrien County environment specialist. “I encourage people to plan ahead and mark all the collection dates on their calendar.”
The final four household hazardous waste collections for 2010 are:
• Wednesday, Aug. 25, 3 to 7 p.m., Apple Valley Market, 9067 U.S. Highway 31, across from the Youth Fair Grounds, Berrien Springs
• Saturday, Sept. 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at County Environmental Health Department, 2106 M-139, corner of M-139 and Starlite Drive, Benton Township
• Saturday, Sept. 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at New Buffalo City Fire Department, North Harrison Street
• Saturday, Oct. 16, 8 a.m. to noon at the Southeast Berrien County Landfill Recycle Station, 3200 Chamberlain Rd., Buchanan
Accepted items include oil-based paint, stain, varnish, mineral spirits, paint thinner/stripper, turpentine, used motor oil and filters, antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline, waxes/polishes, home heating oil, lighter fluid, pesticides, aerosols, cleaners, muriatic acid, one-pound propane cylinders, photographic chemicals, thermometers, thermostats, liquid mercury, batteries, pool chemicals, beauty products, compact fluorescent light bulbs, 8-foot fluorescent tubes and shorter, caulk, outdated medicine, medical sharps, cooking oil, driveway sealer and roof coating.
Items that are not accepted include latex paint (can be dried out and placed with regular trash), ammunition, asbestos, appliances, 20-pound propane tanks (for gas grills), air conditioners, smoke detectors, tires, electronics, waste from businesses and empty containers. Outlets for these materials may be found in the Berrien County Recycling Guide, www.berriencounty.org/recycle or call 983-7111 ext. 8234.
Berrien County residents can use Kalamazoo County’s permanent Household Hazardous Waste Center. Find location, hours of operation and accepted items information at www.kalcounty.com/hhw.
Participants must show identification with address at the Kalamazoo County HHW center.
Tags: hazardous waste collection