The Deschutes County Solid Waste Department has expanded its Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) disposal options at Knott Landfill in Bend, giving residents the opportunity to drop off hazardous items every Friday and Saturday, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., free of charge.
Solid Waste recently brought its hazardous waste disposal program in-house, transitioning away from using an outside vendor. This shift enabled the department to increase its HHW collection days from two weekends a month to Friday and Saturday every week.
“We’re excited to be able to offer Deschutes County residents free household hazardous waste collection every week,” said Greg Brady, Deschutes County Hazardous Waste Supervisor. “Improper disposal of household hazardous waste can impact the environment, as well as community health by leaching toxic chemicals into the soil and groundwater. We hope that by expanding our collection days, we can reduce the amount of hazardous waste ending up in the county landfill.”
Unfinished paint containers are among the most common household hazardous wastes found in the county landfill, largely because people are unsure how to dispose of them correctly. Another frequently tossed out item is rechargeable batteries, like those found in cell phones, laptops, power tools and toys, but this can be dangerous because lithium-ion batteries are known to start fires in the landfill. Solid Waste encourages residents to set aside their unfinished paint cans, rechargeable batteries and other household hazardous waste materials and then drop them at the Hazardous Waste Facility when it is convenient.
The County’s Hazardous Waste Facility at Knott Landfill accepts a wide variety of hazardous waste including unused paints and stains, cleaning compounds, pool and spa chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers rechargeable batteries, fluorescent tubes and bulbs, propane tanks, and more.
The Hazardous Waste Facility also accepts business hazardous waste for a fee. Businesses must pre-register and qualify as Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG). Fees are based on volume and type of material.
To learn more about common hazardous waste materials visit the Solid Waste Department website. For questions about the Household Hazardous Waste program, please call (541) 317-3163.
