Get rid of hazardous waste May 10 at the fairgrounds

The Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Recycling District will be at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds May 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to collect hazardous household waste items from residents of all three counties.

David Held, executive director for the STWRD, said the event presents an opportunity for people to clear out hazardous substances at no charge as they spring clean their homes and garages.

“The whole idea is to make sure we’re keeping our streams and waterways clean,” Held said. “Whenever a hazardous substance is flushed down the toilet, it goes to the sewer department where it is processed. But even after processing, there are still contaminants that can be leached into the waterways.”

Disposing of hazardous waste properly instead of throwing it out with the trash also keeps toxic substances out of landfills, which is safer for the environment.

“The drop-off is a good way to keep the environment clean and safe and, at the same time, clean this stuff out of your house or garage,” Held said.

Items accepted

Hazardous items that will be accepted include the following:

—Automotive fluids and car care products, like motor oil, antifreeze and fuel injector fluid.

—Diesel, kerosene and gasoline with a limit of 10 gallons per car. Containers will not be returned.

—Oil-based paints. No latex paint, which can be dried and deposited in ordinary household trash.

—Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizer.

—Mercury-containing devices such as thermometers, barometers, blood pressure devices and button cell batteries.

—Fluorescent light bulbs including tubes up to 8 feet. Fluorescent lights can have mercury vapor and gases like argon, neon, xenon or krypton.

—Aerosol cans containing paint, pesticides, furniture polish, hair spray or any other substance. In addition to the product in the can being potentially hazardous, the chlorofluorocarbon propellants that make aerosol sprays work can include carbon dioxide, butane or propane, which can be harmful to the Earth’s ozone layer.

Get in and get out

“This is my 22nd year of holding this event,” Held said. “Through the years we’ve learned how to make the process much more efficient through scheduling appointments.”

According to Held, residents don’t even have to leave their cars. “They just pull up, and we take the items so they’re in and out without the long wait times we had years ago.”

Appointments can be made as late as the day before the event. However, appointments are scheduled on a first come, first served basis until all time slots are filled, which could occur earlier than May 9.

Appointments can be made by scheduling online at www.timetorecycle.org or by calling 330-874-2258, option 1. Drivers should be prepared to provide a driver’s license as proof of residency.

“We receive funding to provide this free service to the residents of Stark, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties,” Held said.

Held said no electronics will be accepted at this event, and no commercial waste is allowed. People using the drop-off will be required to sign a form certifying the waste was generated in a household and used only for residential purposes.

“If people miss this one-day event, they can still make an appointment at the Canton Recycle Center, which is open every Tuesday and Friday throughout the year,” Held said.