Household hazardous waste disposal day set

MOSES LAKE – Grant County residents will be able to dispose of household hazardous waste for free on Saturday, May 11, from 9 am to 3 pm at the Moses Lake Surf n’ Slide Water Park parking lot.

The water park is located at Fourth and Dogwood. Only hazardous waste generated by households will be accepted, according to Grant County Solid Waste's Joan Melvin.

Hazardous products have labels with words such as: warning, danger, caustic, flammable, and poison. These chemicals should be disposed of through hazardous waste collection opportunities, not in the garbage, down the drain, or on the ground,” Melvin said.

Examples of materials that should be disposed of this way include: oil-based paint, contaminated used motor oil, thinners, household batteries, solvents, brake fluid, spot removers, drain openers, insecticides, weed killers, items containing mercury, and swimming pool and hobby chemicals.

Contaminated used motor oil contains substances such as antifreeze, solvents, degreasers, paint, or brake fluid.

There are several items that will not be accepted at the event. Latex paint, propane tanks, uncontaminated motor oil, and used automotive batteries are not accepted because year-round collection sites are available in Grant County.

Latex paint may also be placed in the garbage after the paint is hardened and the lid is removed. Because latex paint is water-based, people use soap and water to clean it out of paint brushes.

Other unacceptable items include: empty containers, agricultural waste, commercial waste, explosives, ammunition, asbestos, radio-active material, unknown cylinders, Poison A gases, refrigerant compressors, leaking containers, containers larger than 5 gallons, and white goods (appliances and televisions).

Empty containers may be thrown away in the normal trash and will not be accepted at the event. Pesticide and herbicide containers must first be triple rinsed before throwing in the trash.

Products should be brought in original labeled containers if possible. Pack the waste to prevent spills during transportation and keep the waste away from passenger compartments of vehicles.