Before bringing household hazardous waste to the collection site:
• Check containers - make sure lids are tight.
• Unlabeled containers should be written on with a marker pen as to what the contents consists of that are inside each container.
• Pack each toxic waste in a sturdy container, such as a tub or box. Line the bottom and pack sides with newspaper or other absorbent material.
• Wrap leaking or dirty individual containers in clear plastic bags and pack each item in a larger container with absorbent material such as kitty litter to soak up leaks.
• Transport materials in your automobile trunk, rear of station wagon or truck bed.
What is household hazardous waste?
HHW consists of household products or chemicals which can cause injury or are harmful if not used, stored, or disposed of properly. Key words found on hazardous products include poison, danger, warning, toxic, flammable, corrosive, explosive or irritant.
Why can’t one just throw HHW away with the trash?
HHW poses a threat to people (particularly children, refuse workers and fireman) pets, and the environment. Soil and water pollution can result from improper disposal of HHW.
The average household contains between three and 10 gallons of materials that are hazardous to human health or to the natural environment. Collectively, these can poison our water if they are not stored carefully and disposed of properly.
To reduce the disposal of hazardous materials:
• Avoid buying hazardous products. Use safer alternatives and read labels.
• Only buy what you need.
• Use it up, unless the product is banned.
• Share it with a neighbor, church group, community service organization.
The Barton County Landfill will hold its next household hazardous waste collection date from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Solid Waste Director Phil Hathcock said.
This marks the second to the last such collection at the landfill, located at 350 NE 30 Road northwest of Great Bend. The service runs on the third Thursdays of the month from April through October and is for residential customers only from Barton, Pawnee and Ellsworth counties.
The final upcoming dates include:
• Hoisington – 8 a.m. to noon at the Hoisington City Shop, 109 E. First
• Larned – 9 a.m. to noon at the Pawnee County Road and Bridge Shop, 11th and Trail in Larned
• Barton County – 8 a.m. to noon at the Barton County Landfill
However, anyone came call during the off season and make an appointment, Hathcock said.
Accepted are household herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, any gardening chemical, household cleaners, automotive cleaners or fluids, all paint related products, and all batteries. Hazardous waste from commercial businesses is not allowed.
Not accepted are infectious waste, radioactive waste, laboratory chemicals, asbestos, explosives or empty or dry containers (these containers can be disposed of with regular trash).
In addition, however, many of the chemicals collected can be picked up and recycled by all residents, homeowners and business owners alike. After his staff has determined what is safe and reusable, it will made available to the public for free. This includes paint – both interior and exterior grades – as well as cleaning, automotive and other chemical products.
As a side note, personnel mix all the lighter-colored paints together.
For more information regarding recycling, household hazardous waste, or regular household waste, call the landfill at 620-793-1898.
The collection came up as part of County Administrator Richard Boeckman’s biweekly departmental update. Other highlights included:
Solid Waste
In the past two weeks, the Barton County Landfill has collected:
• 691 tons of Municipal Solid Waste
• 217 tons of Construction/Demolition Waste
• 86 tons of Special Waste
• 443 loads of waste received for disposal
• $36,541.79 of revenue generated through disposal fees
Road and Bridge Director Dale Phillips
Road and Bridge Department
• Mowing continued daily. With two mowers utilized by Road and Bridge staff and one by Landfill personnel, mowing is back on target. Mowers are currently in southwest and southern Barton County. The Pawnee Rock area was finished on Sept. 9.
• Crews are currently getting ready for paint stripping on sealed roads. Centers and no passing zones are being marked. Center Line and edge line painting is scheduled for mid-October.
• Staff participated in the Hoisington Labor Day “Touch a Truck“ exhibit on Saturday, Sept. 5. The event was a great success.
• Sign replacement continues.
• Asphalt work and pothole patching resumed Sept. 10. Staff mixed asphalt for fall and winter work as time permitted.
• Bridge crews are working on a Federal Emergency Management Agency project south of Albert on Northwest 130 Avenue. Project includes ditch work, clean-out and the replacement of a culvert with a pre-cast concrete box.
• Screening sand for winter ice control will be completed next week.
Noxious Weed
• Noxious Weed staff has spent about three weeks at the Memorial Parks. Trees are being trimmed and removed as needed. This past year, bag worm infestations in the cedars and bushes has caused trees to die. Older trees have lived their life span and are being removed as required and as time permits.
• Graves are being filled, grave markers are being raised and dirt filled around the foundations.
• Due to the drought, tree irrigation continued this past two weeks.
