(Photo courtesy of Deschutes County Solid Waste)
As spring ushers in the warmer weather, now is an ideal time to clean out the garage and safely dispose of items that are considered household hazardous waste (HHW). This June, Deschutes County Solid Waste will be hosting HHW collection events for the communities of Redmond, Sisters and La Pine, giving community members an opportunity to drop off their hazardous items free of charge.
“For the health and safety of our community, it’s important to keep household hazardous waste out of the county landfill,” said Greg Brady, Deschutes County Hazardous Waste supervisor. “Because rural transfer stations aren’t currently equipped to accept household hazardous waste, the county holds free, one-day collection events so residents can discard old paint, cleaning chemicals and other household hazardous waste safely and responsibly.”
Items that will be accepted at the collection events include:
- Oil and latex paints and stains
- Thinners, solvents, fuels
- Oil soaked rags and absorbents
- Pool and spa chemicals
- Garden products (herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, etc.)
- Vehicle fluids (coolants, lubricants, fuels, brake fluid, transmission fluid, etc.)
- Propane tanks and camp stove cylinders
- Aerosols (paints, garden sprays, cleaners, etc.)
- Mercury and Mercury-containing items (thermometers, thermostats, etc.)
- Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs
- Rechargeable batteries
- Household cleaners
Items that will not be accepted include:
- Business-generated hazardous waste
- Medical waste
- Explosives, fireworks, ammunition
- Compressed gas cylinders (propane tanks and cylinders are accepted)
- Barrels
Collection event location, date and hours of operation for each community are listed below.
- Redmond – Negus Transfer Station
2400 NE Maple Ave.
Saturday, June 7
9am–1pm - La Pine – South County Services Center (*New location*)
51340 U.S. 97, in the front parking lot
Saturday, June 14
9am–1pm - Sisters – Sisters Recycling Center
328 W Sisters Park Dr.
Saturday, June 21
9am–1pm
Household hazardous waste is also accepted free of charge at the Knott Landfill HHW Facility every Friday and Saturday, from 9am to 3pm. The facility is located at 61050 SE 27th St. in southeast Bend. To learn more about common hazardous waste materials visit the Solid Waste Department website.
For questions about the HHW collection events, please call the Department of Solid Waste at 541-317-3163.
You can learn more about the HHW collection program by listening to episode 51 of the Inside Deschutes County Podcast on the podcast platform of your choice, or at deschutes.org/podcast.
The Deschutes County Solid Waste Department invites county residents to manage waste responsibly by reusing, recycling and reducing waste. The department offers a variety of recycling opportunities, waste prevention programs, and works collaboratively with the community to reduce the amount of waste going into the landfill, conserve resources and create a more sustainable future.
