For the past two decades, the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program’s Wastemobile has been traveling across King County offering a convenient place for residents to safely dispose of oil-based paint, propane tanks, motor oil and other hazardous household waste. By properly disposing of these materials, and keeping them out of drains and landfills, King County residents are helping safeguard the environment.
Now south King County residents will soon have a convenient alternative to the mobile household hazardous waste collection events. Beginning July 17, the Wastemobile will be stationed at the northwest corner of the Auburn SuperMall, 1101 SuperMall Way, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday.
The service will be offered on the first and third full weekends of the month. The 2009 schedule is posted on-line at http://www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/wastemobile/auburn.html and may be obtained by calling the Household Hazards Line (206-296-4692 or 1-888-TOXIC ED (869-4233); TTY relay: 711.
Created in 1989, the Wastemobile was the first program of its kind in the nation. The Wastemobile is operated by King County Solid Waste Division (SWD) as part of the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program, and travels throughout the county from the spring through fall. The fixed Auburn service will be available to King County residents year-round.
“This pilot project offers regular household hazardous waste collection in Auburn, to help address the population in south King County that has grown greatly in the past several years, and as a result, has become underserved,” said Jay Watson, Local Hazardous Waste Management Program Administrator.
In addition to the regular South King County service, the Wastemobile will continue to visit other locations throughout King County in the summer and fall, such as Covington, Snoqualmie and Bothell/Kenmore.
"Our goal is to make disposal of these hazardous materials easy so that they won't end up in the normal household trash," said Julie Mitchell of the King County SWD. "The thousands of residents who come out to these events every year let us know that we are providing an important and convenient service."
Looking for reusable household products? The Wastemobile will provide free products to the public such as oil-based paint, stain and primer, plus wood care and cleaning products. These products are subject to availability, and residents will need sign a release form prior to receiving materials.
Residents contribute to the cost of this service through their regular trash and sewer utility fees, so there is no fee charged at the Wastemobile. For more information, including acceptable materials and quantity limits, call the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program's Hazards Line at 206-296-4692, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., except holidays. Recorded information is available after hours. Information is also available on the Wastemobile Web site at www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/wastemobile/index.html.
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