Household hazardous waste day set

By NATE HUBBARD/Staff

What weighs as much as a female elephant and lurks in Bland County and Wythe County homes?
It’s e-waste, and Saturday you can help safely haul the beast away.
Bland and Wythe counties are holding their 10th annual Household Hazardous Waste Day at the Wythe-Bland Solid Waste Transfer Station on Kents Lane from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
The event provides an avenue for residents of the two counties to properly dispose of (nearly) all dangerous products, including electronic waste, that could harm the environment if they’re merely dumped in a landfill.
“It keeps it out of the environment and keeps it in a controlled process,” said Ikey Davidson, Wythe County’s emergency services coordinator.
In the past, the collection day has garnered large turnouts.
According to statistics provided by the transfer station, 169 vehicles dropped off products in 2005, followed by 223 vehicles in 2006 and 210 at last year’s event.
Common waste items accepted at the event include paints, automotive fluids, inks, dyes, bathroom/kitchen cleaners and varnishes.
While virtually any dangerous product will be collected, notable prohibited items include explosive, radiological, asbestos and biomedical waste.
Guidelines for the collection day also state that waste will be accepted from cars, pickup trucks and mini-vans, but tractor-trailers, dump trucks, buses and attached trailers are banned.
In addition, Saturday’s event is designed for households and farms only. Waste will not be accepted from businesses – including small, home-based operations.
People participating in the event will also have to have a county sticker on their vehicle or otherwise provide proof of residing in Bland County or Wythe County, Davidson said.
While oil, latex paint and antifreeze continue to be some of the most frequently disposed of products, organizers said e-waste collection has increased in recent years.
“It seems to be picking up more and more,” said Rodney Ratliff, Bland County’s director of public works.
E-waste includes items such as computers, copiers, televisions, fluorescent lights and batteries.
In 2005, the collection day yielded 2,600 pounds of e-waste, increasing to 3,800 pounds in 2006 and 5,000 pounds last year – the equivalent of a female elephant.
Although the event is scheduled to run until 1 p.m., the event will end if the budgeted quota of materials is gathered. In recent years, though, collections have continued through the entire allotted time.
For more information about Saturday’s collection proceedings, call Davidson at (276) 223-6033 or the transfer station at (276) 228-4907.
Nate Hubbard can be reached at 1-800-655-1406 or .