from staff reports



City residents will have an opportunity to dispose of household hazardous waste on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the Public Works Complex at 311 27th St., near Kate Griffin School.

The Public Works department will refuse any material that they do not deem acceptable. A chemist will be on site to help identify unknown materials.

In the past, Meridian has held two hazardous waste collection days a year, but now plans to increase to four days a year as part of its "greening" program. Improper disposal of household hazardous waste can pose a threat to both the environment and to sanitation workers.

For more information about hazardous waste day, contact Meridian's trash collection division at (601) 485-1970. The following items will be accepted:



General household and hobby:

-Acids (corrosives)

-Aerosol cans (with product)

-Art Supplies

-Dry cell batteries

-Rechargeable batteries

-Chemistry set chemicals

-CRTs - TVs, computer monitors

-Cutting oil

-Fiberglass resins

-Flammable liquids

-Fluorescent bulbs

-Furniture polish

-Floor and metal polishes and waxes

-Hobby supplies (rubber cement, airplane glue, etc.)

-Lead paint

-Mercury and mercury devices (thermometers)

-Mothballs/crystals

-Oil-based paints

-Paintbrush cleaners

-Photography chemicals

-Polyurethane coatings

-Solvent adhesives

-Turpentine

-Unlabeled and unknown chemicals



Lawn and garden:

-Cesspool cleaners (corrosives)

-Empty or partially empty propane tanks (up to 20 pounds)

-Fire starters

-Flea and tick powders

-Fungicides and herbicides

-Insecticides

-No-pest strips and pesticides

-Poisons

-Pool chemicals

-Weed killers



Automotive:

-Antifreeze

-Brake fluid

-Carburetor cleaners

-Car wax

-Lead-acid batteries (auto, motorcycle, security alarm, etc.)

-Radiator flush

-Solvents and degreasers

-Transmission fluid

-Used motor oil

-Waste fuels (gasoline, kerosene, etc.)

-Tires



Unacceptable materials and how to dispose of them correctly:



-Alkaline batteries - dispose with regular household trash

-Appliances - contact Waste Management

-Asbestos - look in the yellow pages under Asbestos Removal for a licensed contractor

-Construction waste - Includes railroad ties, shingles, dry wall, etc. Call a private hauler

-Explosives - Call the Meridian Fire Department

-Fire extinguishers - Dispose of at any Meridian Fire Department station

-Hypodermic needles - Place in a puncture-proof container with a screw on lid (such as a liquid detergent container) and dispose of with your regular trash.

-Latex paint - Pour residual paint in a large cardboard box lined with newspaper. If there is more than residual paint in the can, mix with cat litter to promote hardening. Once paint in can and/or box is dry, place with regular trash.

-Smoke detectors - may be disposed of with your regular trash or mailed back to the manufacturer.



Guidelines for transporting waste:

-Do not mix products/chemicals together

-Keep products in original containers with labels intact, if possible

-Label products not in original containers

-Place materials in containers or plastic wrap that does not obscure labels

-Leaking or broken containers must be repackaged prior to transport

-Transport containers in a sturdy cardboard box packed so material and containers do not contact each other.

-Store products away from the passenger compartment of your vehicle and keep them separate from items you wish to keep

-Do not smoke at the collection site

-Do not leave your vehicle during unloading of materials unless directed to do so

-In order to speed the collection process and serve as many residents as possible, containers cannot be returned