Caroline Hosford, Sedgwick County Environmental Resources Dept., provided me with information today about household hazardous waste collected in Sedgwick County:
Most of us have items in our homes that need to be disposed of in a special way in order to protect the environment—items like paint, automotive fluids (gasoline, used oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, etc.), garden chemicals, fluorescent light bulbs, propane tanks and old medications.
Any Sedgwick County resident can take these items to the Sedgwick County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 801 Stillwell, Wichita, Kansas for free disposal.
In addition, for the past several years, special “remote” collections of household hazardous waste have been made at various locations around Sedgwick County. These “remote” collections have been increasing in popularity. For example, 692 people brought items for disposal in 2005; that number increased to 1,203 in 2010. That is an increase of about 75% in just a short time! And the amount of household hazardous waste keeps increasing also. In fact, over the past 6 years, 283 tons have been brought to these remote collection sites. These “remote” collections are generally held in the spring and summer months, so be watching for one close to you.
These “remote” collections are made even better because of the partners that have been participating: Hawker Beechcraft, Boeing, Spirit, and several small cities in Sedgwick County. These business and community partners have contributed immensely to the success of protecting our environment. Thanks to you all.
For more information, contact Joe Brunk or Eric Blake at 660-7464 or Joe's email at jbrunk@sedgwick.gov or check out the Sedgwick County Household Hazardous Waste Facility.