Household hazardous waste event reduces pollution landfill disposal

By Susan C. Galentine (Fort Carson)September 12, 2013

Household hazardous waste event reduces pollution landfill disposal
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Fort Cason is celebrating national Pollution Prevention Week with a household hazardous waste collection event Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Iron Horse Park.

The free event is open to military members and their Families, Department of Defense civilians, defense contractors and retirees. Community members can donate nonperishable food items to support Care and Share.

The Fort Carson community is encouraged to participate in preventing pollution by reducing landfill waste and helping the installation get one step closer to its net zero waste goals.

Hazardous waste brought to the collection event must be in labeled, non-leaking containers that can be left at the site. The following items can be turned in during the collection event:

--Household products: Aerosols, ammonia, ammunition, batteries, bleach, cleaners (carpet, drain, oven and toilet), cooking and lamp oils, cosmetics, degreasers, deodorizers, fire extinguishers, floor cleaners/waxes, fluorescent lights and ballasts, furniture polish/wax, laundry products, mercury, mothballs, photographic chemicals, propane and butane tanks (1-20 pounds), rust removers, silver cleaners, spot removers, etc.

--Paint, stains, solvents, etc.: Latex, oil-based, aerosol and hobby paints; and lacquers, solvents, stains, strippers, thinners, varnishes, etc.

--Lawn and garden products

--Lawn and houseplant fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, rodent poisons, wood preservatives, etc.

--Automotive products: Antifreeze, batteries, brake and transmission fluids, cleaners (bug, tar, chrome, engine and vinyl), contaminated motor oil, self-service uncontaminated motor oil in five-gallon containers or smaller only, fuels, wax, etc.

--Electronics and data media: Computers, printers, scanners, audio/video equipment, camcorders, cell phones, digital cameras, fax machines, microwave ovens, TVs, audio and video tapes, CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, game cartridges, etc.

Recyclable materials already collected on Fort Carson that will also be collected during the event include glass bottles and jars, plastic, paper, metal, cardboard and wood (painted, stained or wood soaked with oils or other similar substances will not be collected).

The movie "Bag it," which examines the impact of plastic on society, will be shown Sept. 16 at the Freedom Performing Arts Center, building 1129. The short version of the movie, 45 minutes, focuses on the politics of bags, single-use disposables, waste and recycling and the health of oceans. The long version, 60 minutes, includes a chapter on human health. The short version will be shown at 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; the long version at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. There is no charge to attend the movie.