Program accepts household hazardous waste, recyclables

Once again it is time to clean out the garage, storage shed and other nooks and crannies with the quarterly Yuma-area household hazardous waste day scheduled for this weekend.

In a slight departure, the event will be held an hour earlier than usual because of the summer heat.

The program will take place from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the city of Yuma North Public Works Yard, 265 W. 13th St. At the same time, the site will also host Yuma recycling drop-off day.

There is no charge to drop off applicable materials at the designated time and place. It is open to residents from throughout Yuma County. It is not open to businesses or for commercial waste.

Household hazardous waste products are defined as unwanted corrosive, flammable and toxic material used in your home, car or truck, garden and lawn. Materials may include leftover paint, cleaning solvents, old pesticides, pool chemicals and used motor oil as well as de-rimmed tires (up to five per household) and even "e-waste" such as discarded television sets, home computers, printers and phones.

"This is a great opportunity for Yuma-area residents to get rid of products that have been cluttering up their garages and storerooms," said Greg Hyland, spokesman for the city of Yuma. "And it keeps them out of the landfill or the side of the road."

Last year, a total of 240 car batteries, 1,829 gallons of used oil, 1,550 gallons of latex paint, 632 gallons of flammable liquids and 670 pounds of household batteries were along the materials collected, Hyland reported.

The household hazardous waste program will not accept large household appliances, business or commercial waste, recycling materials or ammunition.

The program currently is sponsored by the city of Yuma, city of Somerton, Yuma County and Interstate Batteries.

In addition to the collection of hazardous waste, the quarterly event also provides an opportunity for area residents to recycle paper, aluminum cans and clear plastics, Hyland noted.

The recycling program is sponsored by the city of Yuma, Habitat for Humanity, Mission Disposal, Desert Document Shredders, Yuma Community Food Bank and Allied Waste.

In addition, recycling bins remain available year-round for residents to drop off aluminum cans, metal items, cardboard material, newspapers and clear plastic. The bins, located at 2nd Avenue and 13th Street, and 45th Avenue and 17th Street, are open seven days a week, 24 hours a day to all Yuma County residents.

The next household hazardous waste collection day will be Oct. 10.

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Items accepted at Saturday's household hazardous waste collection day include:

  • Motor oil
  • Antifreeze
  • Paint
  • Solvents
  • Household cleaners
  • Pesticides
  • Fertilizers
  • Batteries
  • Tires (limit five, must be off the rim)
  • Home computer components
  • TV sets
  • VCRs
  • Cell phones
  • Home phones

Recyclable items residents may drop off include:

  • Aluminum cans
  • Cardboard
  • Newspaper
  • Clear plastics
  • Shredded documents and other paper