Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection Service Here April 24

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's mobile household hazardous waste collection service will be in Cannon County on April 24. 

"Our household hazardous waste mobile collection service provides the people of Tennessee with a safe, environmentally friendly way to dispose of unwanted household chemicals and other potentially hazardous wastes at no cost," said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke. "This service travels across the state holding collection events in local communities, and we encourage all Tennesseans to take advantage of the opportunity to utilize it."

On Saturday, April 24, any Tennessee resident may bring his or her household hazardous waste to the following location: Cannon County — The Convenience Center on Alexander Drive in Woodbury from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The local contact for this HHW collection event is Thea Prince at (615) 563-2320.  

The average home in Tennessee produces 20 pounds of household hazardous waste each year.  Typical items to dispose of include cleaning fluids, pesticides, mercury thermometers and thermostats, swimming pool chemicals, paint thinner and automotive fluids.  Also accepted are fluorescent bulbs and electronics, such as televisions, computer monitors, keyboards, computer mouse devices and computer processing units.  Console televisions should be dismantled.  Items not accepted include ammunition, explosives, batteries, medical waste and any items from a school, commercial business or agri-business.

When transporting materials to the site, place containers in sturdy boxes lined with newspaper to prevent spills and cross-contamination in the trunk of a car or back of a truck. Be sure to keep materials away from children and pets.  Materials should be kept in the original container whenever possible.  If not, place the waste in a plastic jug with a secure lid and label its contents.

In 2009, over 850,000 pounds of household hazardous waste, including 202,250 pounds of electronics, were collected from 11,703 households at collection events across the state.  Since the program's inception in 1993, households have properly disposed of more than 20 million pounds of material.  HHW material is considered flammable, toxic, reactive and/or corrosive and should not be placed with regular garbage.

Many counties and municipalities meet the needs of local residents by providing year-round collection of batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze and electronic scrap.  When handled correctly, these BOPAE materials are minimally hazardous, but inappropriate for collection at household hazardous waste events if more suitable opportunities exist.  Since these materials comprise approximately 85 percent of the household hazardous waste brought to HHW events, the money saved by diverting BOPAE materials to local, year-round collections can be used to offer more events and collect more hazardous materials across the state.  Contact your local solid waste department to see if year-round BOPAE collection exists in your area

For more information on the household hazardous waste mobile collection service, please call 1-800-287-9013 or visit www.tn.gov/environment/swm/hhw.