Federal Way site hosts King County’s Wastemobile hazardous waste collection for two weekends

King County's popular program in 19th year of safeguarding environment

King County residents have two upcoming opportunities to safely dispose of household hazardous items when the King County Wastemobile continues its 19th year of collections with consecutive weekend visits to The Commons at Federal Way, March 14-16 and 21-23.

The Wastemobile is operated by King County as part of the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program. King County residents can drop off hazardous household waste items, including pesticides, chlorine bleach, oil-based paints, automotive products (oil, antifreeze, auto batteries, etc.), fluorescent bulbs/ballasts and other items free of charge.

By properly disposing of these materials and keeping them out of drains and landfills, King County residents are helping safeguard the environment.

One item that will no longer be accepted during household hazardous waste collection events is latex paint. Research has shown that dried or solidified latex paint can be safely disposed through the regular solid waste process.

The Wastemobile will be located in the Sears parking lot of the Federal Way Commons at 1701 South 320th Street.

The next Wastemobile event is scheduled for March 28-30 at Fred Meyer in Kent, with an east King County visit, scheduled for later in the spring in Redmond.

"The intent of the program is to ensure safe, proper disposal of hazardous products people have in their homes," said Julie Mitchell of King County's Solid Waste Division.

Created in 1989, the Wastemobile was the first program of its kind in the nation. In its 18 years in operation, the program collected more than 14,771 tons of household hazardous waste from over 328,650 customers.

"Our goal is to make disposal of these hazardous materials easy so that they won't end up in the normal household trash," Mitchell said. "The high number of residents that come out to these events lets us know that we are providing an important and convenient service."

For more information, including acceptable materials and quantity limits, call the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program's Hazards Line at 206-296-4692, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., except holidays. Recorded information is available after hours. Information is also available on the Wastemobile Web Site at www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/wastemobile/index.html.