Household hazardous waste collection coming Wednesday, October 13

Editors note: Houston County Environmental Services director Rick Frank wrote the following article to inform the public about the status of the Houston County Household Hazardous Waste Program.

Because of the recent and on-going budget cuts on the state and local level, Houston County can no longer offer the FREE household hazardous waste collections.

The Houston County Board of Commissioners did however approve a one-day, one-location household hazardous waste collection for ALL of Houston County on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the HOKAH FIRE BARN. There will however be a FEE associated with all items accepted for collection on this date.

Houston County households also have two other options for disposing of household hazardous waste. Houston County has agreements in place whereby Houston County residents, for a FEE, can use either the Winona County Household Hazardous Waste Facility or the La Crosse County Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Both counties require that appointments be made in advance. Normally there is a one to two day waiting period before a person can bring the items to either facility. Items accepted for disposal, at either facility, are broken down into two categories FLAMMABLE and NON FLAMMABLE.

The La Crosse County facility is located at 6502 State Road, La Crosse. Take State Road 16 East toward West Salem. The facility is approximately 1/2 mile East of Interstate 90 located on the south side of State Road 16. Houston County residents should call 608-785-9999 for an appointment (between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.) for further information. Waste will be accepted from non-La Crosse county residents on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.

The Winona County facility is located at 225 West 2nd Street, Winona. The facility is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For an appointment or further information call 507-457-6405.

For further information on household hazardous waste, feel free to contact Rick Frank, Houston County Environmental Service Director, at either the Houston County Recycling Center at 507-896-2535 or the Houston County Environmental Services Director at 507-725-5800.

Hazardous Waste Acceptable Items

ï Adhesives

ï Paints & stains

ï Cleaners

ï Garden pesticides

ï Fuels & solvents

ï Aerosols with product remaining (empty aerosols should go in the trash)