Safely dispose of household hazardous waste materials

Jackson County residents can bring in their hazardous waste materials for a minimal fee this Friday and Saturday, May 2 and 3, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rogue Disposal's 17th annual Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Days at the Jackson County Fairgrounds and Exposition Park. The event is designed to help residents get hazardous materials out of their homes so that they can be properly disposed of.

A minimum $5 charge includes the first cubic yard of hazardous waste, which equals six 32-gallon trash cans filled level.

For a complete list of accepted materials, as well as some unaccepted items, visit Rogue Disposal's Web site at www.roguedisposal.com. The Web site also has complete information on properly disposing and handling of hazardous materials.

Items that are accepted include: cleaning supplies like window cleaner, drain cleaner, bathroom cleaner and any products containing bleach or ammonia, old pesticides and insecticides, swimming pool chemicals, weed killers not currently approved for use, old lead and oil-based paint, old paint removers, old or toxic wood preservatives, light ballasts, batteries, and thermostats containing mercury.

Plus, bring in your old mercury thermometer and Rogue Disposal will exchange it for a free new, safer digital thermometer, one per customer while supplies last. The Department of Environmental Quality is sponsoring the thermometer exchange.

Unacceptable items include fluorescent light tubes, medical or biological waste, explosives, radioactive materials, ammunition, commercial or industrial waste, asbestos, 55-gallon drums, propane tanks, metal canisters or fire extinguishers. In addition, Rogue Disposal cannot accept waste in containers larger than five gallons.

The fairgrounds is located at 1 Penninger Road, Central Point (I-5 exit 33).

For more information, call 608-1023.