Thurston County
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:     Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Contact:       Terri Thomas, Education and Outreach (360) 754-2896

Record Turnout for Wastemobile Event

Thurston County residents set new records at the recent Wastemobile Collection Event in Tumwater.  During the two-day event, 1,105 residents brought in over 30 tons (60,345 pounds) of unwanted household hazardous materials and 8.75 tons (17,500 pounds) of electronic items for proper disposal or recycling!   The largest event prior was held in Olympia in 2005, when 707 residents brought in just over 14 tons of hazardous materials.  Electronics were collected for the first time at this year’s event.

The top five wastes collected were: latex paint (21,580 lbs.); oil based paint (9,000lbs.); flammable products (7,750 lbs.); car batteries (6,600 lbs.); and used motor oil (4,445 lbs.).  All of these materials will now be safely recycled, used for energy recovery or incinerated.  

Thurston County reminds residents that there are convenient, year-round collection locations for all of the above materials.  Using the following options may be easier than waiting in line at our one-day events:

·        Hazohouse, located at the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center , accepts all types of hazardous materials including paints, batteries, used oil, florescent light tubes and more.   The service is free for residents and the site is open every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 8:00 am-5:00 pm.   Businesses can use the location for a nominal charge.  The address is 2420 Hogum Bay Road .  

·        Motor oil is also accepted for free at over 30 locations throughout the county.   To find the location nearest you, just go to http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehhw/pdf/used_oil_bro.pdf or call 360-754-4111. 

·        Most auto parts stores will accept old car batteries, or you can take them to Hazohouse listed above.

·        Televisions and monitors are accepted at the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center .  The cost is based on the weight of the item plus an additional $5.00 hazardous materials handling fee.   If your computer or other electronic item is in good working condition, consider donating it or listing it on Thurston County ’s free materials exchange website at www.2good2toss.com.

A reminder: electronics and other recyclable materials will be collected at the upcoming Community Recycle Days on Saturday, October 7, 2006 at the South Sound Speedway, 3720 183^rd Ave. S.W. in Rochester and Saturday, October 14, 2006 at the Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Road S.E. in Olympia .  Both events run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.    Hazardous materials will not be accepted.  For more information, go to http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/wwm/Recycling/community_recycle_days.htm.

Clearing out household hazardous products and unwanted electronics helps keep toxins out of our drinking water, our solid waste stream and our bodies!    Thurston County provides programs to help you help the environment and our health.  Thanks for your participation.