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Watauga County Household Hazardous Waste Collection for Residents and Drug Take-Back Set for Oct. 27

Oct. 9, 2012. Many items normally used around the house such as paint, cleaners, motor oil and pesticides are considered hazardous waste and could pose a threat to your family’s health and the environment. The same is true for unused and outdated medications. To know whether a product is hazardous, read the label. If you see words like “danger,” “warning,” “caution” or “poison,” these materials are hazardous and cannot go into the regular trash, or be washed down household drains or storm drains.  

The Watauga County Sanitation Department will host a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Day on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. to provide residents of Watauga County with a safe, convenient and environmentally responsible way to dispose of their hazardous waste. There will also be five locations to safely dispose of unused and outdated medications from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. the same day (see below).

 

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY

(Residential ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL WASTE)

When: Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Where: Watauga County Landfill, 336 Landfill Road

What: Paint, antifreeze, ethylene, gasoline, lighter fluid, solid and liquid pesticides, oxidizers and cleaners. Used pil, lead-acid batteries and tube-like fluorescent bulbs are accepted at the sanitation department during regular business hours, M—F, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. Household batteries and CFLs are accepted at all convenience centers. These items also will be accepted during the HHW event.

In order to ensure the safe collection of HHW materials:

  • Stay in your vehicle during the entire collection. This is for your safety and is required by the disposal contractor’s permit. 
  • Bring waste in their original containers whenever possible. Make sure containers are closed tightly.
  • Collect your HHW in disposable boxes or bins and transport in the trunk. Do not put hazardous waste in the backseat with children or pets.
  • No smoking during the event – most HHW are flammable.

PHARMACEUTICAL TAKE-BACK

“To keep our rivers and our children safe”

When: Saturday, May 19, 2012, 10 a.m.—2 p.m.

Where: Food Lion (3 locations)

                           1.  Hwy 321 near Wal-Mart

                           2.  Hwy 421/Old Hwy 421

                           3.  Blowing Rock

                   Foscoe Fire Department (Highway 105)

                   Beaverdam Volunteer Fire Department (Bethel Road)

What: All prescription and over-the-counter medications and medical supplies, no questions asked 

 

Contact Lisa Doty, Recycling Coordinator at lisa.doty@watgov.org, or call 828-265-4852 or 828-264-5305 for more information on HHWD or the Drug Take-Back.