One of the best services offered by Elkhart County government will occur again Saturday.
Several times a year the Solid Waste District sponsors a household hazardous waste collection day. And that event will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the county jail at the intersection of C.R. 7 and C.R. 26.
Each time this event is held our environment is protected. The idea is to allow homeowners a chance to clean out their garages, sheds and basements and dispose of items that might end up in the county landfill and pollute the groundwater. Many common household items contain dangerous chemicals and we certainly don’t want those chemicals in our local groundwater.
Some of the common items we use that contain pollutants are cosmetics, air fresheners, medicines, spot removers, mothballs, old fuels, paint, batteries, tires and even flea powders for pets. These items and more can be taken to the county jail location Saturday for safe disposal.
The Solid Waste District operates the county landfill and has taken the initiative to try and limit the amount of pollutants that end up there. This household hazardous waste day is just one event in that effort. The district also operates dozens of recycling stations around the county. These stations provide county residents a place to take their cardboard, newspapers, magazines, bottles and cans so they can be recycled and kept out of the waste stream. The reutilization of these materials also helps limit the negative impact of mining for minerals, cutting of pulp-wood trees and the use of sand in making of glass. Whenever we can reuse metals and other materials we should.
You still have time today to gather up old paint cans, tires without rims and unused household products and put them in your car. Then, on Saturday take them to the county jail so they can be disposed of properly. If you take part in this worthwhile event you will have a cleaner house and yard and you will be helping to protect the environment. It’s a good way to start a weekend.
