Once again this year Carter County is partnering with state officials to provide residents with a way to safely dispose of some hazardous items and chemicals they may have in their homes.
On Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., Tennessee residents may bring a variety of hazardous materials to the Carter County Recycling Center, located at 411 Cherokee Park Drive, Elizabethton, for a free and safe disposal. Lyons said residents can also bring any recyclable materials they may have as the Recycling Center will also be open on Saturday and accepting drop-offs of recyclables.
Each year, the county and state partner together to provide residents with this free service.
“We do this once a year in the Spring, usually at the end of April or beginning of May,” said Carter County Landfill Manager Benny Lyons. “Last year we had around 150-some cars come through.”
Among the types of items accepted at the collection event are pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, paint thinner, chemical solvents, fluorescent light bulbs, photography chemicals, medications, cleaning fluids, automotive fluids, swimming pool chemicals, aerosols, mercury thermometers, mercury thermostats, and lithium and button batteries.
While there are lots of items that will be accepted at Saturday’s event, Lyons said there are still other unsafe items that will not be accepted.
“What we don’t want is any latex paint, ammunition, gun powder and stuff like that,” he said.
Also on the list of items that will not be accepted are: medical waste, biohazardous waste, radioactive materials, laboratory chemicals, empty gas tanks, and business or commercial hazardous waste.
“Our household hazardous waste mobile collection service provides the people of Tennessee with a safe, environmentally friendly way to dispose of unwanted household chemicals and other potentially hazardous wastes at no cost,” said Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau. “This service travels across the state holding collection events in local communities, and we encourage all Tennesseans to take advantage of the opportunity to utilize it.”
Residents are advised when transporting materials to the site, place containers in sturdy boxes lined with newspaper to prevent spills and cross-contamination in the trunk of a car or back of a truck. Be sure to keep materials away from children and pets. TDEC asks that materials be kept in the original containers whenever possible, but if not, place each waste in a separate plastic container with a secure lid and label its contents.
For more information on the household hazardous waste mobile collection service, please call 1-800-287-9013 or visit http://www.tn.gov/environment/topic/sw-mm-household-hazardous-waste-program.