The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is set to roll out its mobile household hazardous waste collection service in three counties this coming Saturday. Residents of Anderson, Houston, and Wilson counties will be able to responsibly discard a variety of hazardous materials from their homes, as reported by TDEC. The event encourages Tennesseans to participate without the need to be a resident of the participating counties.
According to TDEC, hazardous waste items including but not limited to cleaning fluids, pesticides, and swimming pool chemicals can be dropped off at designated locations. The service aims to make it easier to safely dispose of such materials. "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," TDEC Commissioner David Salyers stated. Since its inception in 1993, TDEC's collection program has seen participation from over 373,000 households in the state.
The collection sites are open at specific times for drop-offs this Saturday. Anderson County hosts its collection at Oak Ridge Public Works Department, while Houston County residents can head to the Houston County Convenience Center. Wilson County’s event will take place at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center. This free service, however, does not accept items such as ammunition, explosives, paint and electronics, among other exclusions.
For businesses and other non-household entities, TDEC offers disposal of Very Small Quantity Generator Waste, but there is a cost involved, and appointments are necessary to surely to accommodate all. "An appointment is also necessary," TDEC notes for those who need to schedule a drop-off for such waste, suggesting that interested parties call ahead for a price quote and to secure their spot.
Residents transporting hazardous materials to the collection sites are advised to ensure safe packaging of the materials to prevent spills during transit. It's recommended to use sturdy boxes lined with newspaper or plastic for added security. Additionally, local solutions for batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze, and electronic scrap — collectively known as BOPAE — are available in many areas. For full details on the hazardous waste collection service, TDEC provides a hotline at 800-287-9013 and further information on their website.
