COFFEE COUNTY — The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) mobile household hazardous waste collection service will be in Coffee, Dickson, Hawkins, and Maury counties on Saturday, September 20.

Tennesseans are encouraged to bring household hazardous waste – including cleaning fluids, pesticides, swimming pool chemicals, and more – to the designated drop-off locations. A person does not need to live in the county to participate.

“This collection service provides an excellent way to responsibly dispose of household hazardous waste, and we want to make it as convenient as possible,” said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. “We welcome all Tennesseans to take advantage of this opportunity to show their commitment to environmental protection.”

The drop-off locations are:

Coffee County – Tullahoma Public Works, 942 Maplewood Ave., Tullahoma, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. The contact is Melissa Burton at (931) 723-5139.

Dickson County – Dickson County Fairgrounds, 1053 Hwy 47 E., Dickson, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The contact is Jackie Fayette at (615) 446-0019.

Hawkins County – Hawkins County Recycling Center, 8580 Hwy 11W, Rogersville, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The contact is John Lilley at (423) 921-2465.

Maury County – Maury County Solid Waste Department, 1233 Lawson White Dr., Columbia, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. The contact is Matthew Turner at (931) 375-6400.

Since the program’s inception in 1993, more than 383,000 Tennessee households have properly disposed of more than 25 million pounds of material. There have been over 1,500 one-day collection events.

Household hazardous waste materials are considered flammable, toxic, reactive and/or corrosive and should not be placed with regular garbage. Typical items to dispose of include cleaning fluids, pesticides, mercury thermometers and thermostats, fluorescent lamps, lithium and button batteries, aerosols, adhesives, medications, brake fluid, swimming pool chemicals, paint thinner, and used needles in sturdy containers. Items not accepted include ammunition, explosives, alkaline batteries, paint, electronics, and any empty containers that should be disposed in normal trash. There is no cost or appointment necessary for household hazardous waste collection.

While household hazardous waste may be disposed for free, there is a cost for disposal of Very Small Quantity Generator Waste (i.e. wastes from non-household sources such as businesses, schools, farms, churches, etc.). An appointment is also necessary. Call (615) 643-3170 to request a price quote and schedule an appointment.

Many counties and municipalities meet the needs of local residents by providing collection of batteries, oil, paint, antifreeze and electronic scrap – or BOPAE, as it is sometimes called. When handled correctly, these BOPAE materials are minimally hazardous, but inappropriate for collection at household hazardous waste events. Tennesseans are encouraged to contact their local city or county solid waste department to find BOPAE collection sites in their area.

When transporting materials to the site, place containers in sturdy boxes lined with newspaper or plastic to prevent spills and cross-contamination in the trunk of a car or back of a truck. Be sure to keep materials away from children and pets.

For more information on the household hazardous waste mobile collection service, please  visit the TDEC Household Hazardous Waste Program page online.•

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