Glenwood Springs encourages residents to take advantage of the city’s household hazardous waste and paint drop off event this Saturday.
The annual event will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Glenwood Community Center’s upper parking lot, 100 Wulfsohn Road.
The city asks that those wishing to dispose of either their household hazardous waste or paint to make an appointment ahead of time by calling (970) 945-5375 by Friday at 4 p.m.
“It’s a lot smoother the day of the event when people have an appointment and it’s not everyone dropping off something at 8:30 in the morning and waiting in a long line,” said Sarah O’Brien, executive assistant for the city.
The city will not accept commercial hazardous waste, but rather hazardous waste from private parties only. While the service remains free for Glenwood Springs residents with proof of a utility bill or a valid driver’s license, those living outside of the city’s limits may still drop off their household hazardous waste items for $2 per gallon of liquids or solids, as estimated by an attendant.
Accepted household hazardous waste items include: Aerosols, oil-based paints, latex paint, mercury, pesticides, flammable liquids, cleaners, acids, miscellaneous household solids, chlorophenoxy derivative acids, fertilizers, lead acid batteries, ni-cad/ni-fee batteries, batteries with mercury, antifreeze, gasoline, diesel fuel, and motor oil.
Not accepted are: Compressed gas, oxygen cylinders, explosives, shock sensitive materials, ammunition, unknown materials, infectious or biologically active materials, dioxin, tri tetra and pentachlorophenol and their chlorophenoxy derivative acids, oxidizers, esters, amine and other salts.
“This event coincides each year with our spring cleanup event,” O’Brien said. “We like to have it in the spring around Earth Day and we do it to encourage people to not dispose of paint or household hazardous waste in their spring cleanup.”
Additionally, Glenwood Springs residents wishing to drop off paint may do so for free with proof of a utility bill or a valid driver’s license. Those living outside of the city limits will be assessed a $1 per gallon handling fee, based upon the actual amount of paint as estimated by an attendant rather than the container’s size.
Although the city will not accept commercial hazardous waste, it will accept latex paint and water-based finishes from contractors and commercial painters to recycle for a $2 per gallon fee — not by container size, but by actual amount of paint as estimated by an attendant.
“The city will take care of the paint and household hazardous waste items and discard them appropriately,” O’Brien said.
The city asks that participants not utilize containers larger than 5 gallons to transport paint or household hazardous items that they wish to dispose of.
mabennett@postindependent.com