Bradley County urges household hazard cleanup

photo Cheryl Dunson, vice president of marketing for landfill operator Santek Waste Services.
Arkansas-Ole Miss Live Blog

IF YOU GO• What: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day.• When: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.• Where: Tri-State Exhibition Center, 3350 Ocoee St. N.• Who: All Bradley County residents.• Cost: Free.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Saturday is one of Bradley County's biggest spring cleaning events of the year: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day.

Last year, 792 households took part, collecting thousands of pounds of plastic, aluminum, newsprint and mixed paper, tires, batteries, glass, electronics, waste oil, unused lawn-care products and household cleaning supplies.

"We have volunteers from Keep America Beautiful who will be surveying people as they come through the gate so we can get an accurate count of participation," said Cheryl Dunson, marketing director for Santek Environmental, a major sponsor of the event along with the county mayor's office, Cleveland Utilities and the Tri-State Exhibition Center.

For the event, Mayor D. Gary Davis' office sets aside $50,000 each year from a fund that can be used only for environmental purposes. "That's why we are stressing that this is for Bradley County residents," Dunson said.

Some area counties also have hazardous waste collection days. Hamilton County has a year-round center.

"Because we do not get a grant for this, the waste stream we can accept is broader," Dunson said.

But there are exceptions. No ammo or explosives; biological products, including needles or dead animals; waste products from institutions, including businesses, schools and home improvement contractors.

The sheriff's office supplies selected inmates to do the unloading.

"We couldn't do this without help from the mayor's office," said Keep America Beautiful Executive Director Joanne Maskew.

Upcoming Events