Tennesseans looking for a safe way to ditch their household hazards have a date to circle on their calendars. Come October 4, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is rolling out its mobile household hazardous waste collection service across Anderson, Bedford, and Cumberland counties. Residents looking to offload everything from old pesticides to pool chemicals are welcome, regardless of which county they call home.
A sense of urgency underpins this drive, somewhat akin to spring cleaning, but with a clear environmental focus. As reported by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, "This collection service provides an excellent way to responsibly dispose of household hazardous waste, and we want to make it as convenient as possible," said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. In this vein, locals are encouraged to partake and to show their commitment to keeping Tennessee green - or greener, as the case may be.
For those itching to participate, the drop-off spots are open at varying times to suit early risers and those who fancy a lie-in. Your go-to locations are Anderson County's Oak Ridge Public Works Department, Bedford County Agriculture Center, and the Cumberland County Complex. Contacts at each locale are standing by, ready to field questions and guide potential drop-offs.
The stakes are as high as the collections are broad. Since the program's 1993 inception, more than 383,000 households have safely disposed of over 25 million pounds of potentially hazardous material. Flammable, toxic, reactive, or corrosive - these are the types of items welcomed with open arms at the collection events. However, attendees should note that not everything is fair game; things such as munitions, explosives, and electronics should be disposed of elsewhere, while everyday alkaline batteries and empty paint cans can go straight into the regular trash.
