In 2005, a total of 2,385 Douglas County households participated in Douglas County’s Household Chemical Roundups, safely disposing of more than 161 tons of hazardous materials. This included 7,500 pounds of pesticides, 140 pounds of mercury-containing devices, 6,500 gallons of hazardous liquids and 130 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.

On Saturday, August 12, the Douglas County Household Chemical Roundup at Shea Stadium in Highlands Ranch collected 92,585 pounds of household hazardous waste from 898 vehicles. This event was very successful in ensuring the safe disposal of household hazardous waste. There is one remaining Roundup in Douglas County for 2006. This final round-up is to be held on September 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Town of Castle Rock Utilities Department, 175 Kellogg Court in Castle Rock.

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.

Participants do not even have to get out of vehicles as they drive through the Roundup, since volunteers help unload the materials. The events are offered free-of-charge to local residents, however, participants are asked for a $20 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 as proof of residence.

The Roundups cannot accept waste from businesses, radioactive waste, smoke detectors, oil drums, asbestos, explosives stronger than fireworks, or any compressed gases other than propane.

Although leftover latex paint will be accepted at the Roundup, water-based latex paint can be safely and legally disposed of in regular household garbage if it is completely dried out. Mixing the paint with kitty litter, sand, dirt or concrete-mix will help speed the drying process. Leave the lids off of all paint cans so that waste haulers can see that the paint can is empty or that the paint is completely dry.

Volunteers Needed

Without volunteers the Roundup couldn’t happen. Volunteers help with traffic, registration, off-loading and sorting material, and managing the Drop & Swap and Information Center. Volunteering at a Roundup is a good way to give back to your community.

The next Douglas County Household Chemical Roundup will be held on Saturday, September 30th, at the Town of Castle Rock Utilities yard, and volunteers are needed for the following times:

7:00 am to 12:00 pm

11:30 am to 4:30 pm

7:00 am to 4:30 pm

We ask that volunteers arrive promptly at 7:00 am to attend the safety briefing and help with set-up. If you are available for the afternoon session or the full-day session plan to stay until 4:30 pm to help with teardown and clean up of the site.

Volunteers are provided with a continental breakfast, lunch, and refreshments throughout the day. Volunteers also have access to the Drop & Swap to take home materials that you may be able to use such as paint, pesticides, and fertilizers.

The Household Chemical Roundups are sponsored by the Castle Pines North Metro District, Douglas County, the Plum Creek Wastewater Authority, the Town of Parker, and many other agencies and individuals. Individuals and groups interested in helping with any of these events should contact Justin Laboe at (720) 322-1541.

For more information, visit www.tchd.org/householdchemical.htm or call the 24-hour Household Chemical Roundup Information line at (303) 846-6249.

Information provided by The Tri-County Health Department