County highlights Hazmobile schedule and reported 189.25 tons of household hazardous waste collected in 2025
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Summary
Solid Waste staff briefed commissioners on the county household hazardous waste program, Hazmobile schedule and processing improvements; staff reported 189.25 total tons collected in 2025 and described procedures for lithium‑ion battery handling.
Martin County solid waste staff presented an update on household hazardous waste services and the Hazmobile program on Feb. 10, including operational hours, service locations, processing improvements and collection metrics for 2025.
Lead hazardous‑waste technician Michael Carroll said the household hazardous waste facility is at 9155 SW Bush Street, Palm City, and is open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., and Saturdays 8 a.m.–noon. The Hazmobile schedule provides rotating collection sites across the county (Hope Sound first Wednesday of each month; Stuart second Wednesday; Jensen Beach third Wednesday; Sewell’s Point on select fifth Wednesdays when present; Tequesta second Friday; Indiantown fourth Friday).
Carroll and staff outlined accepted items (household chemicals, motor oil, electronics, aerosol cans, fluorescent bulbs, batteries, used cooking oil) and items not accepted (business waste, medications, sharps/needles, compressed gas cylinders, hazardous waste in drums, tires, appliances). They described on‑site processing improvements including a bulb crusher with filtration and a machine to safely remove dry chemical from fire extinguishers for recycling.
Staff reported 2025 collection totals including roughly 100 tons of motor oil, 25 tons of household chemicals/pesticides, almost 20 tons of electronics, 26.2 tons of aerosol cans and light bulbs, 15.75 tons of batteries and 1.8 tons of used cooking oil, totaling 189.25 tons collected in 2025. "This gives us a total of 189.25 total tons collected for 2025," Carroll said.
Commissioners asked about lithium‑ion battery hazards and protocol; staff described taping connectors, segregating batteries for vendor pickup and vendor certification in handling. Commissioners praised the program and suggested additional public outreach about lithium battery risks.
No board vote was required; staff will continue Hazmobile rotations and processing improvements and will coordinate outreach to reduce fire hazards from damaged batteries and improper disposal.