Paris, Tenn.–Henry County Solid Waste Department and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Division of Solid Waste Management are preparing for their annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event. The event will take place Saturday, August 28, from 8 AM to 1 PM at the Henry County Recycling Center located at 450 Recycling Drive, off East Wood St in Paris. This event is free and open to any household.
According to Ron Watkins, Henry County Solid Waste Manager, the mobile collection program was established to provide a safe means of disposal for household hazardous wastes. There are many reasons to properly dispose of household hazardous waste. One reason is that improperly stored hazardous products in the home may increase the risk of poisoning or injury. Also, disposing of haz ardous waste in ordinary trash may injure sanitation workers because some products are chemically incompatible and may cause fires in dumpsters or garbage trucks. Examples of these are household cleaners, oil based paint, aerosols, pesticides, rechargeable batteries, used automotive fluids, pool chemicals, needles/sharps in puncture proof containers, and many more household products that are no longer useable.
Additionally, old mercury thermometers and thermostats, TV’s, computer equipment, and other household electronic equipment will be accepted. The usual recyclables such as used motor oil, an tifreeze, aluminum, scrap metal, old appliances, cardboard, paper, and number 1 and 2 plastics will be accepted as well during the event.
Tires will not be accepted at this year’s event; however, tires can be taken to the Paris Henry County Landfill for disposal.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has contracted with Clean Harbor En vironmental Services to accept your materials. To prepare for transporting your materials, pack your vehicle carefully to prevent spills and make sure liquids are labeled if possible. You are encouraged to stay in your car while Clean Harbor employees unload your household hazardous wastes. Excluded wastes include:
- MEDICAL and INFECTIOUS WASTES (EXCEPT NEEDLES/SHARPS IN PUNCTURE PROOF CONTAINERS), AMMUNITION and EXPLOSIVES, RADIOACTIVE WASTES, IN CLUDING SMOKE DETECTORS, ANY EMPTY CONTAINERS, and WASTES FROM NON HOUSEHOLD SOURCES SUCH AS BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, FARMS, CHURCHES, ETC.,
and
Watkins said, “Henry County Solid Waste Department is very pleased to be able to offer this event this year. With COVID causing last years event to be postponed, We are looking forward to this year being one of our largest events. I encourage any households in surrounding counties to bring items to our event as well. We appreciate the community being mindful of our environment by participating in recycling and hazardous waste collection events. Recycling saves our natural resources and land fill space.”
To manage household hazardous waste in the best possible way, households can do a number of things. One is to buy only the quantity of a product needed or share leftovers with a friend. Another is to buy less hazardous products. Finally, store household hazardous waste carefully until Henry County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event. For more information about the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event or to learn of permanent used oil collection sites call the Henry County Recycling Center at (731)642-5170 or visit the county web site at www.henrycountytn.org.