Hazardous waste collection event Saturday

Many items cannot go in the usual garbage and the hazardous household waste collection event is a way to get rid of those items.

On Saturday, Feb. 13, Kern Public Works will be holding an event for anyone needing to dispose of hazardous materials.

Due to the pandemic, the last event was canceled. This event will be held rain or shine.

The containers of waste meant for this event are those that are too toxic for the regular trash. Among the accepted materials are batteries, motor oil, paints, light bulbs, sharps (needles), pool chemicals, automotive products, cleaning products and more.

The event is being held at the Shafter/Wasco Landfill at 17621 Scofield Road, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

According to Lynnda Martin, of American Refuse, residents were getting frustrated with the inability of disposing of their hazardous waste, forcing them to keep the materials longer than they would normally do so.

There are a few rules to follow if you are interested in participating in the event. First, you need to label all of your containers and make sure none are leaking. Do not mix different types of waste. Keep them separated. You can transport no more than 15 gallons of waste at a time, or up to 125 pounds per trip.

This event is for personal waste only, no commercial waste is allowed.

Disposing of residential hazardous waste in your trash or dumping it down storm drains or into the sewer and septic systems can be dangerous to your health, the health of others and the environment. Thrown into your trash can, hazardous waste can pose a threat to trash collectors and workers. Dumped on the ground or street, waste can be absorbed into the ground water supply, enter storm drains and pollute the Kern River.