Solid Waste Authority schedules electronics and hazardous-waste collection; offers paint disposal guidance

Donna Cooper of the Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority told commissioners the authority will hold its second electronics, television and household hazardous waste collection of the year and that residents should register for the one-day event. Cooper said the authority accepts televisions, computers and paint and that latex paint, while not hazardous, should be dried (or mixed with cat litter or sawdust) before being placed with regular trash. She noted disposal costs for hazardous paint disposal run about $0.78 per pound when handled by the third-party vendor the authority uses for one-day collections.

Cooper said the authority has removed about 179 tons of household hazardous waste across roughly 15 collections over the years and warned that lithium-ion batteries in consumer devices add fire risk during handling and transport. She credited Goodwill for providing the collection site, volunteers and equipment that help keep costs down. Cooper also said collected glass from the county's drop-off recycling program now goes to Owens-Illinois for remanufacture into bottles and jars, reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and saving energy.

Residents were directed to the authority's phone number and online registration; Cooper said county staff can assist residents who cannot register online.