The Rappahannock Regional Solid Waste Management Board (R-Board) encourages Stafford and Fredericksburg residents to take advantage of upcoming special recycling days during which they can properly dispose of hazardous waste from their homes.

The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days will be held at sites in Stafford and Fredericksburg. Residents from both localities, who must show proof of residency, will be able to bring hazardous wastes to either site for proper disposal. In Fredericksburg, the collection date is Saturday, September 20, at the Recycling Center located on Belman Road. In Stafford, the collection will take place on Friday and Saturday, October 17 and 18, at the Regional Landfill located at 489 Eskimo Hill Road. Collections at both locations begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at
3:00 p.m.  

The Environmental Protection Agency designates a substance hazardous if it can catch fire, react or explode when mixed with other substances, or is corrosive or toxic. Many items found in garages, basements, bathrooms and kitchens are considered hazardous. Below is a list of waste materials that will be accepted at the sites, including the areas in and around the home in which they can be found.

Kitchen: bug spray, floor care products, furniture polish and metal polish with solvent.

Garage: automatic transmission fluid, battery acid (or battery), brake fluid, car wax with solvent, diesel fuel, fuel oil, gasoline, kerosene, motor oil or other oils, oil-based paint and paint brushes with solvent, cutting oil, solvent-based glue, model paint, fiberglass epoxy, primer and turpentine.

Miscellaneous: artist paints and mediums, varnish, moth balls, swimming pool acid, gun cleaning solvents, dry cleaning solvents, lighter fluid, mercury batteries and thermometers, old fire alarms, photographic chemicals, fluorescent bulbs and latex paint.

Medical and radioactive waste will not be accepted.

Individuals will be asked to remain in their vehicles while trained personnel dispose of the hazardous materials. Surveys will also be conducted to determine the kind and amount of materials being disposed.

For more information about the Hazardous Waste Program, visit the R-Board’s Web site at www.r-board.org or call Diane Jones, Recycling Coordinator, in the R-Board’s Recycling and Litter Prevention Office at (540) 658-8680.

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