JACKSON, Wyo. — Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling (ISWR) is pleased to announce the 2023 Household Hazardous Waste Collection (HHWC) season has begun.
Residents and small quantity generating businesses can properly dispose of many chemicals that are not allowed in the trash or landfill because they are flammable, toxic, corrosive, poisonous, caustic or reactive. Examples include oil-based paints and stains, paint thinner, motor oil, pesticides and herbicides, cleaning products and fuels. A full list of common household hazardous waste accepted by ISWR can be found here.
Why is it important to dispose of HHW properly? Household hazardous items cannot be poured down sinks, toilets or household drains because they pose a danger when they enter the sewage treatment process and eventually impact our waterways and wildlife. Substances poured into the soil, streets or into storm drains are carried to our streams and rivers, causing harm to our environment.
“Living in a river valley, our water sources are close and valuable to us,” says ISWR Waste Diversion Outreach Coordinator Becky Kiefer. “There is a connection between what we waste, how we dispose of our waste and our environmental quality.”
Also, hazardous wastes that reach the landfill can leach into soil and pollute groundwater. Regardless of the “convenience factor” of a readily accessible trash can or dumpster as a temptation, throwing hazardous waste into the garbage threatens sanitation workers, who can be injured by acids, fires and explosions.
Last year, the county collected 57,000 pounds of household hazardous waste from residents and small quantity generating businesses. Since its inception in 2001, the program has safely disposed of nearly 1 million pounds of hazardous waste.
Teton County ISWR is hosting 14 Household Hazardous Waste Disposal events this year, available to county residents and small quantity generating businesses. All participants must pre-register by making an appointment for a specific time and date. Appointments are made in 10-minute intervals, and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participants will drop off household hazardous waste at the Teton County Recycling Center Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 3270 S. Adams Canyon Road in Jackson, Wyoming. Collection dates for the 2023 season are on the following Wednesdays:
- April 5 and 19
- May 3 and 17
- June 7 and 21
- July 5 and 19
- Aug. 2 and 16
- Sept. 6 and 20
- Oct. 4 and 18
“It is important that folks bring their hazardous waste to the right place for proper disposal,” says Kiefer.
All hazardous materials are prohibited from disposal at the Trash Transfer Station.
Thanks to the support of generous grants from the Brinson Foundation, the Teton Conservation District and Teton County Weed and Pest, ISWR is able to subsidize fees for residents who cannot afford to pay for proper disposal. Fees for hazardous waste disposal can be found here.
More information is available at the recycling and waste department website or by calling (307) 733-7678.
