It’s time to load up the old paint cans, motor oil, batteries and chemicals for a safe disposal at an upcoming area household hazardous waste event.
The Mid-America Regional Council Solid Waste Management District will host 12 mobile events to collect household hazardous waste for residents of 34 participating communities in Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray counties.
The 2016 schedule includes collection events in Independence, April 2; Blue Springs, April 16; Parkville, May 21; Smithville, June 4; Harrisonville, June 18; Gladstone, June 25; Belton, Aug. 6; Platte City, Aug. 20; Excelsior Springs, Sept. 10; Richmond, Sept. 17; Jackson County, Oct. 1 and Liberty, Oct. 15. Details are at www.recyclespot.org.
Since 1997, the Regional HHW Program has safely disposed more than 7 million pounds of HHW. Common household hazardous products include paint, paint strippers, varnishes, adhesives and glues, hobby supplies, batteries, motor oil, compact fluorescent light bulbs, antifreeze, lawn and garden chemicals, and pesticides. The chemicals in these products can poison, corrode, explode, or ignite easily when handled improperly. Because of these hazardous qualities, HHW cannot be thrown out with regular trash.
Residents of participating communities may bring HHW to any of the mobile collection events or one of two permanent collection facilities in Lee’s Summit and Kansas City, Missouri, at no charge. The program accepts residential waste only. Waste is not accepted from businesses — including home-based businesses, nonprofits, churches and rental properties. Proof of residency is required.
2016 participating communities are the cities of Belton, Blue Springs, Cleveland, Excelsior Springs, Garden City, Gladstone, Grain Valley, Greenwood, Harrisonville, Independence, Kansas City, Mo., Kearney, Lake Tapawingo, Lake Waukomis, Lake Winnebago, Lawson, Lee’s Summit, Liberty, Lone Jack, North Kansas City, Parkville, Platte City, Pleasant Hill, Pleasant Valley, Raymore, Richmond, Riverside, Smithville, Sugar Creek, Weatherby Lake and Weston, as well as unincorporated areas of Clay, Jackson and Platte counties. Other jurisdictions may join the program by paying a per capita fee to give their residents access to the Regional HHW Collection program. Residents of non-participating communities may use the Lee’s Summit facility for a fee.
For more information, visit www.recyclespot.org or call 816-701-8226.
Top photo: Household hazardous waste collection event // CC BY
It’s cool that the Mid-America Council Solid Waste Management District is going around and collecting hazardous waste materials that need to be thrown away properly. I was helping my dad clean out his garage last weekend and we were shocked to see how many old spray cans and car batteries he owned. We weren’t sure what to do with them at first, but after seeing that there are waste management services that specializes in hazardous materials like this, we are going to find one and have them come take them off our hands.
That’s great that the HHW Program has been able to dispose of so many hazardous products. This is so important for today and helping our earth stay clean. My wife and I actually live in North Kansas City, so we will be waiting for everyone to come through!
Could you describe more of what qualifies as hazardous waste? Honestly I have never known the specifics about this, but I certainly want to make sure that it is disposed of properly. I appreciate your helpful information on this type of business, and I will be collecting the items in my home that I know are hazardous waste soon. Thank you!
It’s best to check with your municipality for a list of household hazardous waste they accept for safe disposal. In general, it includes automotive products, antifreeze, batteries, CFL light bulbs, fertilizers, flammables, fuels, hazardous cleaners, hazardous liquids, household cleaners, lawn and garden products, paint, pesticides, photographic chemicals, pool chemicals, solvents, thinners and used oil. The best resource for specific drop-off sites is http://www.recyclespot.org/HHW/HHW-Facilities.aspx. Thanks for your interest.