NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s mobile household hazardous waste collection service will be in Sullivan County on April 25. In addition, the department is reminding local citizens that Sullivan County has initiated year-round efforts to provide additional opportunities for the collection of many of these materials.
“Our household hazardous waste mobile collection service provides the people of Tennessee with a safe, environmentally friendly way to dispose of unwanted household chemicals and other potentially hazardous wastes at no cost,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke. “This service travels across the state holding collection events in local communities, and we encourage all Tennesseans to take advantage of the opportunity to utilize it.”
On Saturday, April 25, any Tennessee resident may bring his or her household hazardous waste to Sullivan Central High School at 131 Shipley Ferry Road in Blountville from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The local contact for this HHW collection event is Buck Johnson at (423) 279-2879.
The average home in Tennessee produces 20 pounds of household hazardous waste each year. In most cases more than 80 percent of that material consists of batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze and electronics (BOPAE), all of which are accepted year round at the following locations in Sullivan County:
Kingsport Convenience Center/Transfer Station
1921 Brookside Lane, Kingsport, Tenn.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday – 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday – 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Bristol Convenience Center/Transfer Station
804 Raytheon Road, Bristol, Tenn.
Monday through Friday – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday – 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Sullivan County’s collection program for BOPAE materials began in an effort to minimize the expenses involved with mobilizing the necessary staff and equipment for special collection events and improve convenience for local residents.
“Surveys indicate 81 percent of Sullivan County participants at HHW collections prefer two or more collection opportunities per year for the materials they bring to these events,” said Paula Mitchell, Environment and Conservation’s Household Hazardous Waste Coordinator.
Sullivan County is meeting the requests and needs of their local residents by offering year-round management of BOPAE material. According to Mitchell, BOPAE recycling can actually generate revenue for Sullivan County to help with other recycling and waste disposal needs.
In a cooperative agreement with the state, Sullivan County announced the April 25 HHW collection will only be accepting household hazardous waste that is not otherwise accepted at the collection sites listed above. Those materials include cleaning fluids, pesticides, mercury thermometers and thermostats, swimming pool chemicals, paint thinner or other solvents, and fluorescent bulbs.
Items not accepted at the event include batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze, electronics, ammunition, explosives, medical waste and any items from a school, commercial business or agri-business.
When transporting materials to the site, place containers in sturdy boxes lined with newspaper to prevent spills and cross contamination in the trunk of a car or back of a truck. Be sure to keep materials away from children and pets. Avoid mixing materials and keep them in the original containers whenever possible. If original containers are not available, place the waste in plastic jugs with secure lids and label their contents.
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