Nye County and U.S. Ecology are teaming up for the county’s very first Household Hazardous Waste Collection event and residents will want to mark May 18 on their calendars.
Members of the Pahrump community and the surrounding area will be able to pack up all of the household waste that they cannot dispose of for curbside trash pickup, and haul it to the Pahrump landfill to have it properly disposed of by U.S. Ecology.
“The Hazardous Household Waste Collection event is something that has been talked about for years but never executed,” Nye County Public Information Officer Arnold Knightly said of the effort.
“U.S. Ecology does these events with its community partners around the country. This event came out of a site tour of their facility last year. Nye County Manager Tim Sutton placed the event as a priority and Nye County Public Works Director Tim Dahl has been in close contact with U.S. Ecology representatives, who live here in Pahrump, in organizing the event.”
Knightly said events of this type are important to communities as they provide a safe, proper method of disposal for all sorts of products used in the home, ensuring they do not harm the environment.
“There is always a concern that hazardous household waste will end up in our beautiful desert through illegal dumping and will damage the ecosystem. Whether it is animals digesting items, killing or slowing the growth of plants, or waste that ends up in the groundwater, this event is to give an outlet to people to get rid of those items in their garage they don’t know how to get rid of,” Knightly detailed.
U.S. Ecology will have large trucks on site which will run continually throughout the day, with all hazardous waste bound for disposal at the U.S. Ecology site just south of Beatty.
Acceptable waste
Many of the items commonly found stockpiled around homes, awaiting disposal, will be collected as part of the household hazardous waste event.
One of the most common household products, and something that generally should not be thrown in the regular trash, is batteries. Those made from lead acid, nickel-cadmium, lithium metal, lithium ions, mercury and alkaline will be gathered and disposed of properly.
Hazardous liquids will be taken as part of the event as well, including used oil, antifreeze and paint-related materials, such as latex or water-based paints, oil-based paints, lacquers and thinners, and lead-based paints.
Pool chemicals can also be disposed of, so long as they are in their manufacturer’s original packaging and contain a legible label.
Aerosols, both flammable and non-flammable, will be taken, along with electronic waste such as televisions, computers, printers and cell phones.
Mercury and sodium bulbs will also be accepted, as will equipment containing mercury, such as thermometers and thermostats.
Unacceptable waste
There are a variety of items that cannot be accepted at the upcoming disposal event.
Propane cylinders, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors will not be collected, and residents may not dispose of fireworks, flares or flammable liquids. Household cleaners are also on the unacceptable list, along with acids, bases, oxidizers, pesticides or herbicides.
Medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, are unacceptable waste products, as are illicit drugs. Epoxies and resins, appliances, home furnishings and explosives will not be accepted either.
The Household Hazardous Waste Collection event will take place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 at the Nye County Landfill, 1631 E. Mesquite Ave. in Pahrump.
Contact reporter Robin Hebrock at rhebrock@pvtimes.com