Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful is teaming up with the Department of Water Resources in hosting the year's first annual Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday, February 10, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The aim of this environmentally focused community event is to provide a public service while engaging the community to take further action for the benefit of the environment. In addition to releasing a list of hazardous waste items that will be accepted in this collection, the county is requesting volunteers to carry surrendered items from attendee's vehicles to the appropriate disposal station.
“Last year alone, through our semiannual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days, we helped our neighbors rid their homes of 90.43 tons of household hazardous waste – much of which was diverted from our local landfills,” said Schelly Marlatt, Executive Director for Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. “For a frame of reference, that’s slightly heavier than a single-story, unfurnished, 1,600 square foot house. The disposal of household hazardous waste requires special care. I’m proud of the impact we’re making in that realm. As word continues to spread about these events, I hope we’ll be able to divert even more household hazardous waste from our landfills – where they run the risk of contaminating the soil and water nearby or could potentially cause fires or even explosions.”
The Environmental Protection Agency defines household hazardous waste as “leftover household products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or are corrosive or toxic." Items that will be collected at the February 10 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day include:
- Aerosol/spray pesticides
- Automotive products (engine degreaser, brake fluid, transmission fluid, antifreeze, etc.)
- Cleaners, corrosives, spot removers, acids, and bases
- Aerosol/spray paint
- Auto batteries
- Batteries (household and rechargeable)
- Chlorinated solvents
- Cooking oil and grease
- Fire extinguishers
- Flammables (lighter fluid and waste fuels (kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel, etc.)
- Fluorescent bulbs and ballasts
- Insecticides
- Latex and water-based paints
- Lawn care products
- Mercury
- Mercury salts and elemental mercury thermometers
- Oil-based paint and stains
- Oxidizers
- Pesticides
- Poisons
- Propane cylinders
- Solvents and varnishes
- Thermostats and other mercury-containing items
- Thinners and paint strippers
- Weed killer
- Wood preservatives
Items like ammunition, radioactive waste, pharmaceuticals, biomedical/biohazard waste, tires, electronics, and paper for shredding will not be accepted at this event. Attendees are permitted to bring up to five containers of household waste. Containers must be the size of a copy paper box or laundry basket, and – since they cannot be returned once removed from the car – disposable containers are recommended. In addition to encouraging Gwinnett County residents to drop off their waste at the event, Marlatt shared the need for volunteers to help ensure the event runs smoothly. To sign on as a volunteer for this and future events, Marlatt encourages interested individuals and groups to visit Volunteer Gwinnett.
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds is located at 2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy in Lawrenceville, and volunteers are asked to report at 7 a.m. on the event day. The second Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day of 2024 will take place at the Fairgrounds in the summer. Interested parties are encouraged to stay tuned for the date and details in the coming months. Questions about February’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day can be directed to GC&B Program Coordinator Kim Davis at 770.822.5187 or [email protected].
