Getting rid of household hazardous waste is getting easier for residents in Hickman, Marshall, and Monroe counties, with the help of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). TDEC announced they are rolling out a mobile collection service this Saturday, September 14, where folks can responsibly dispose of their potentially dangerous home chemicals.
Whether it's leftover paint thinners, mercury-filled thermometers, or old pool chemicals, residents can bring them to one of the drop-off locations between 8 a.m. and noon without a county residency requirement, the service looks to drive home the importance of proper hazardous waste disposal and since its inception in 1993, over 373,000 Tennessee households have done exactly that, with more than 24 million pounds of material safely brought to over 1,500 one-day collection events, according to TDEC Commissioner David Salyers in a statement obtained by TDEC.
The event is keen on making it as seamless as possible for the local residents, setting up sites at Hickman County Transfer Station in Centerville, Marshall County Solid Waste in Lewisburg, and Monroe County Highway Department in Madisonville; these sessions are cost-free, with no appointment necessary for household collection. For businesses such as schools, farms, or churches, the waste is categorized as 'Very Small Quantity Generator Waste.' An appointment is required, and a fee applies. For more details, contact (615) 643-3170.
While this day is set aside for those specific hazards, there are still other drop-off points for the likes of batteries and electronics, with many localities spurring their own BOPAE programs for items that while still hazardous, are less so when managed properly. As for Saturday, residents should keep transportation safety in mind when bringing hazardous goods – keep them away from kids and pets, and stow them carefully in boxes with linings to avoid spillage. As voiced by Commissioner Salyers, “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,” according to the same press release.
