The Delaware Knox Marion Morrow (DKMM) Solid Waste District has resumed its household hazardous waste collections, running from April through September. Knox County's collections will occur on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.
"People can probably remember we used to do a once-a-year event or if you missed that Saturday you got to wait another year," said Knox County Recycling Coordinator Matt Baugher, as reported in a Knox County Board of Commissioners YouTube recording of its April 1 meeting.
According to the video, Baugher said that residents of the four counties can drop off their hazardous waste on the first and third Wednesdays in Delaware County. A drop-off site in Knox County is available for residents at Opportunity Knox on the second and fourth Wednesday each month. Residents must call DKMM District Director Jenna Hicks at 419-751-2290 to make an appointment for drop-off. No businesses, governments, or institutions are allowed, and proof of residency must be shown, such as a driver's license or utility bill. Containers will not be returned.
Baugher explained that all accepted materials will cost $1 per pound. Acceptable items include adhesives like roof tar and driveway sealers; automotive fluids such as antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, and brake fluid; batteries including alkaline, Ni-Cad, lithium, rechargeable, and lead acid (battery ends must be taped); fire extinguishers; fluorescent bulbs; household chemicals including pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers; insecticides; mercury and mercury-containing items; paint and paint-related materials in containers up to five gallons including aerosol, latex (limit 10 cans), oil-based paint, varnish, sealers, primers, thinners, turpentine, and stains; propane cylinders up to 20 pounds; and smoke alarms if they contain a radioactive symbol.
A scale will be located at the Opportunity Knox site at 17604 Coshocton Road in Mount Vernon. Baugher mentioned that at $1 per pound it will be much cheaper than going directly to a hazardous company.
Baugher noted that the first two collection dates in Knox County will be on April 9 and 23.
