This weekend you have the chance to liberate your closets and garages of that toxic burden in a way that's safe for you and the environment. According to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), a household hazardous waste mobile collection service is rolling into Greene, Maury, and Overton counties this Saturday, September 7. And it's not exclusive—regardless of your county of residence, your troublesome toxins are welcome.
The service offers an opportunity for Tennesseans to responsibly dispose of hazardous household materials such as cleaning fluids, pesticides, and swimming pool chemicals. The collections will take place at three locations: Hal Henard Elementary School in Greeneville, the Maury County Solid Waste Department in Columbia, and the Overton County Fairgrounds in Livingston. Event timings vary by location, with the earliest starting at 8 a.m. and the latest ending at 1 p.m., with no appointment or payment necessary for household waste.
Drop-off sites for the service prioritize household materials characterized by their flammability, toxicity, reactivity, and corrosiveness. Typically accepted items include mercury-containing devices, fluorescent lamps, and used needles safely contained. David Salyers, the TDEC Commissioner, underscored the importance of the initiative, stating, "We want it to be convenient for Tennesseans to recycle household hazardous waste, and this collection service is a great way to show that commitment." This statement was obtained by an article on the TDEC website.
Some hazardous waste items are not accepted, including ammunition, explosives, alkaline batteries, paint, electronics, and empty containers. Dispose of these through regular trash or contact local waste departments for special disposal. Businesses must make prior arrangements and pay a fee, which can be arranged by calling TDEC. Tennesseans can also check with local waste departments for places that handle less hazardous BOPAE materials.
Pack materials in sturdy boxes lined with protective layers when dropping off your hazardous leftovers to avoid accidental spills and cross-contamination. Keep these substances out of reach of children and pets for their safety and yours. The initiative, which has been running since 1993, is a testament to Tennessee's commitment to the environment, with over 373,000 households participating and over 24 million pounds of material safely disposed of to date.
