Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days set for May 4 and 11
TUPELO — Those with materials deemed unsafe for everyday waste collection will have their chance to rid themselves of their paint cans, old oil, outdated phones and similar materials this weekend and later this month.
Three Rivers Solid Waste Authority, in partnership with Three Rivers Planning and Development District, will hold its annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days on May 4 and May 11 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.
“The waste day gives the citizens an opportunity to get rid of items that are not supposed to go into traditional landfills,” Solid Waste Manager Doug Wiggins said. “We are being environmentally responsible. They are trying to do their share to help the environment.”
The drop-off locations will change depending on the day. May 4 will be at the Mississippi Station University Agricenter at Verona, 5395 Highway 145 South. May 11 will be at the Lafayette County Multipurpose Arena, 70 FD “Buddy” East Parkway, Oxford, near Highway 6 and County Road 406.
Wiggins said the events are well attended with between 500 and 600 households on average at the Lee County event and over 700 at the Oxford event, adding Three Rivers gets regular calls throughout the year about the event.
Every year, Three Rivers collects hazardous waste with no charge to Lee County, Pontotoc, Itawamba, Monroe, Calhoun, Lafayette and Union County residents,
Items illegible for disposal include batteries, gasoline, tires, cleaning products, paint pesticides, oils, metals and electronics.
Those looking to drop off tires are limited to a maximum of 25.
The district will not accept helium tanks, sofas, roofing shingles, any household trash, agricultural waste, biological or infectious materials, explosive or radioactive materials. They also will not accept “unknown substances.”
Wiggins said the reason Three Rivers cannot take helium tanks is that their disposal is cost prohibitive. He said their scrap metal contractor refuses to take helium tanks in the event they still have helium and are pressurized. If damaged in the crushing process, a pressurized tank will explode.