By Casie Bolling
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. | Gwinnett County government departments are teaming up to help neighbors rid their homes of household hazardous waste. Co-hosted by Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful (GC&B) and Department of Water Resources from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 26, the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will take place at Gwinnett County Fairgrounds.
Held twice a year – in the winter and again in the summer – since its launch in 2018, the event has collected 1,161,430 pounds of household hazardous waste for proper disposal. In addition to getting the word out to Gwinnett County residents who may want to bring items to the event, its organizers are also seeking volunteers in order to help keep traffic moving smoothly. Duties will include directing traffic, removing materials from vehicles, breaking down boxes, and more.
Schelly Marlatt, executive director of GC&B says; “Extreme heat – much like the high temperatures we’ve been experiencing in Georgia the last few weeks—means special care should be given to the disposal of household hazardous materials, which is why we created this event with our friends at the Department of Water Resources. Many people may be tempted to pour certain materials down their drain or down storm drains, but that can negatively impact our local water sources and the environment at large. The demand for this event was so great that we added a second event each year, and – most recently – have added a fourth hour to accommodate expected crowds. We saw more than 1,000 vehicles drive through our event in February, and – with the kids out of school – we’re expecting even more attendees at the July 26 event.”
In preparation for the event, she encouraged prospective attendees to start cleaning out their cabinets, closets, attics, basements, workrooms, and garages in search of the following items they no longer need in preparation of the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day:
- 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 like kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel, etc.)
- Fluorescent bulbs and ballasts
- Hand sanitizer
- 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 that will NOT be accepted include ammunition, radioactive waste, pharmaceuticals, biomedical/biohazard waste, and fireworks. This event will also NOT include the collection of electronics, tires, or paper for shredding.
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds is located at 2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy in Lawrenceville. Those interested in registering as a volunteer for the July 26 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day can visit https://bit.ly/463JY0X.
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