Household hazardous waste collection slated

MOSES LAKE - Grant County residents may dispose of household hazardous waste for free on Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Moses Lake Surf n' Slide Water Park parking lot.

The water park is located at the corner of 4th and Dogwood. Only hazardous waste generated by households will be accepted, says Joan Melvin of Grant County Solid Waste.

According to 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.

Examples 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.

Latex paint, propane tanks, mercury-containing lights, motor oil, and automotive batteries will not be accepted at the event, Melvin said. There are year-around collection sites available for propane tanks, used oil, mercury-containing lights, and automotive batteries in Grant County.

Latex paint may be thrown away in your garbage if the paint is hardened and the lid is removed, Melvin said. To determine if paint is latex, read the label. Brushes used with latex may be cleaned using soap and water. On the other hand, oil based paint requires paint thinner to clean out the 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 five 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.

Hazardous waste should be brought in original labeled containers if possible.

For more information, call Grant County Solid Waste at 754-6082.