Douglas County Household Chemical Roundups Announced for 2009

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In 2008, a total of 2,887 Douglas County households participated in Douglas County’s Household Chemical Roundups, safely disposing of more than 155 tons of hazardous materials. This included 13,935 pounds of pesticides, 280 pounds of mercury-containing devices, 6,472 gallons of hazardous liquids and more than 115 tons of paint. If not for the Roundups, this waste might have ended up in creeks and rivers or disposed of illegally on other people’s property.

In 2009 there will be three separate Roundups in Douglas County held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following locations:

• April 25, Parker Joint Services Center, 17801 East Plaza Dr.
• Aug. 8, Shea Stadium, 3270 Redstone Park Circle, Highlands Ranch
• Sept. 12, Town of Castle Rock Utilities, 175 Kellogg Ct.

Oil-based paint products, motor oil, antifreeze, vehicle batteries, house and garden chemicals, fire extinguishers, fireworks, ammunition, mercury, propane tanks, and passenger vehicle and pickup truck tires will be accepted.

People do not have to get out of their vehicles as they drive through the Roundup, since volunteers help unload the materials. Participants will be asked for a $25 contribution to help offset the high costs of hazardous waste disposal. Participants will be asked for a driver’s license, water bill, utility bill or phone bill to verify residency.

The Roundups cannot accept waste from businesses, and are not able to accept radioactive waste, smoke detectors, scrap metal, oil drums, asbestos, explosives stronger than fireworks, or any compressed gases other than propane. Additionally, residents with water-based, latex paint products are strongly encouraged to dry the paint at home using absorbent (kitty litter, sand, dirt), recycle any empty metal cans and dispose of the dried paint with regular garbage instead of bringing this non-hazardous waste to the events. This will significantly help lower the Roundup’s disposal costs. Call Ethan Novikoff at 720-322-1508 for more information.

Volunteers are greatly needed at the events to help with registration, car load-off, and waste processing. Volunteers are provided with free food throughout the day, a gift for helping out at the event, and are allowed to dispose of their waste for free. Individuals and groups interested in helping with either of these events should contact Ethan Novikoff at 720-322-1508.

The Household Chemical Roundups are sponsored by Douglas County, Centennial Water and Sanitation District, Metro Districts of Highlands Ranch, Parker Water and Sanitation District, Plum Creek Wastewater Authority, the Town of Parker, and many other agencies and individuals.

For more information, visit www.tchd.org/householdchemical.htm or call the 24-hour Household Chemical Roundup Infoline at 303-846-6249. The City of Lone Tree administers a separate household hazardous waste collection program, call: 1-800-449-7587.