Citizens can safely dispose of toxic and hazardous materials.
Frederick, Md. (KM) – It’s a good time to get of some materials around your house which may be hazardous or toxic. A Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off event is scheduled for Saturday, May 21st from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM in the upper parking lot of NYMEO Field at 21 Stadium Drive in Frederick.
“The hazardous waste event gives a way for residents to get rid of materials that may be a little bit toxic,” says Annmarie Creamer, Recycling Program Analyst for Frederick County’s Division of Solid Waste and Recycling. “That’s anything from fluorescent lights to leftover fuel from last year’s lawnmower; pesticides, mothballs, pool chemicals, all sorts of things.”
Other things that will be accepted are aerosol paints, brake fluid, flares, fungicides, rechargeable batteries (not alkaline), stains, sealants, smoke detectors, solvents and thinners.
But Creamer says there are some items which will not be accepted. “Alkaline batteries, regular old household batteries. Those are actually acceptable for regular trash disposal,” she says. “Things like paints. All it needs to be is dried up and then it can go out with the regular trash.” The other things that are not acceptable are ammunition, firearms, biomedical waste,, explosives, fire extinguishers, LED light bulbs, medicines, pressurized tanks such as those used for propane, helium or Freon, and radioactive materials. Creamer says there are other disposable options for these materials.
There are also items which are collected and recycled at no cost year round at the landfill at 9031 Reich Ford Road that will not be accepted for the Household Hazardous Waste Drop Office event.. They include lead-acid batteries, electronics, motor oil, antifreeze and vegetable oil.
You can go on line to www.FrederickCountyMD.govhazwaste to find out what is and is not accepted.
The program has been up and running for many years, and Creamer says it’s proven to be popular. “Last year, we collected 60,760 pounds of hazardous materials which is great,” Creamer says. “That means all of those things are kept out of the landfill disposal system.
If you’re coming to the Household Hazardous Drop Off event, you’re urged to use New Design Road, and not from South Market Street.
The Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Event is only accepting residential waste, and none from businesses and organizations.
By Kevin McManus