Tri County Health Department employees and volunteers dispose of the chemicals and hazardous waste at the Household Chemical Roundups. (photo by Terri Wiebold)

by Terri Wiebold

According to the Tri-County Health Department, a total of 3,064 Douglas County households participated in Douglas County’s Household Chemical Roundups in 2007, safely disposing of more than 135 tons of hazardous materials. This included 12,600 pounds of pesticides, 230 pounds of mercury-containing devices, 8,2694 gallons of hazardous liquids, and more than 95 tons of paint. If not for the roundups, this waste might have ended up in local creeks and rivers or disposed of illegally on other people’s property.

The next Douglas County Household Chemical Roundups are scheduled for:

Saturday, July 26 - Shea Stadium, 3720 Redstone Park Circle, Highlands Ranch, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.;

Saturday, September 20 - Castle Rock Utilities Building, 175 Kellogg Drive, Castle Rock, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Participants do not have to get out of vehicles at the roundup because volunteers help unload the materials. The events are offered free-of-charge to local residents; however, participants are encouraged to make a $20 tax-deductible contribution to help offset the high costs of hazardous waste disposal. Get with neighbors and carpool to help minimize the cost. Please be prepared to provide a driver’s license, water bill, utility bill, or phone bill as proof of Douglas County residency.

For maps to the drop-off locations or for more information about what items will and will not be accepted, go to www.tchd.org/householdchemical.htm or call Greg McConnell at 720-322-1541.