Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection Service in Greene, Loudon and Union Counties on October 12

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s mobile household hazardous waste collection service will be in Greene, Loudon and Union counties on October 12.

“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,” Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau said.  “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, October 12, any Tennessee resident may bring his or her household hazardous waste to the following locations.  (Note that hours listed indicate the local time for events.)

• Greene County – Hal Henard Elementary School at 425 East Vann Road in Greeneville from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The local contact for this HHW collection event is Jennifer Reynolds at (423) 638-4111.

• Loudon County – Loudon County Justice Center at 12680 Highway 11 West in Lenoir City from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. The local contact for this HHW collection event is Gordon Harless at (865) 988-7558.

• Union County – Union County Solid Waste Center at 295 Wolfe Road in Luttrell from 8 a.m. until noon. The local contact for this HHW collection event is Becky Munsey at (865) 992-2666.

2013 marks the 20th anniversary of Tennessee’s mobile Household Hazardous Waste Program. Since the program’s inception in 1993, over 310,000 households have properly disposed of more than 20 million pounds of material. HHW material is considered flammable, toxic, reactive and/or corrosive and should not be placed with regular garbage.

Household hazardous waste has changed over the past 20 years. In the 1990’s, over 85% of the waste collected at events consisted of batteries, used oil and paints. In the early 2000’s, emerging waste streams such as mercury-containing lamps and electronic scrap were increasingly generated and in need of recycling. Recycling markets developed in 2010 for batteries, used oil and electronic scrap, allowing counties and municipalities to expand their year-round collection programs. Today, typical items for disposal at an HHW event include cleaning fluids, pesticides, mercury thermometers and thermostats, fluorescent bulbs, lithium and button batteries, aerosols, adhesives, medications, brake fluid, swimming pool chemicals and paint thinner.  Business waste from conditionally exempt small quantity generators is now acceptable for a fee and by appointment. To request a price quote and schedule an appointment, please contact 615-643-3180. Items not accepted include ammunition, explosives, alkaline batteries, paint, electronics and medical waste.

When transporting materials to the site, it is important to 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.  Materials should be kept in the original container whenever possible.  If not, place the waste in a plastic jug with a secure lid and label its contents.

For more information on the household hazardous waste mobile collection service, please call 1-800-287-9013 or visit http://www.tn.gov/environment/solid-waste/solid-waste_household-waste.shtml.   

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