Drop off hazardous household waste for free 1 day this fall, if you live in Benton County

Anyone living in Benton County can drop off household hazardous waste for free Saturday, Sept. 23, in Kennewick.

That includes residents of cities in the county, including Richland, Kennewick, West Richland, Prosser and Benton City.

Items can be dropped off from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. or until the collection event reaches full capacity.

The event will be first come, first served, and longer wait times are expected in the first two hours of the event, according to Benton County officials.

It will be at the Benton County Fairgrounds at 1500 S. Oak St.

Items accepted include paint, propane tanks, cleaners, gasoline if less than 20 gallons, yard chemicals, fertilizer, motor oil and gas/oil mix, antifreeze, acid or alkaline batteries, fire extinguishers and pool chemicals.

Containers must be no larger than five gallons.

Benton County will collect household hazardous waste for free Sept. 23 at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Kennewick. Tri-City Herald file
Benton County will collect household hazardous waste for free Sept. 23 at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Kennewick. Tri-City Herald file

Items not accepted include explosives, asbestos, ammunition, biohazards, tires, medicines, electronics, and fluorescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs and tubes.

For information on disposing of fluorescent bulbs and tubes or questions about disposing of other items, call Benton County at 509-786-5611.

The April 1 event is only for household waste. Business and contractor waste will not be accepted.

Benton County typically has two hazardous waste collection events for household waste each year, one in the spring and one in the fall.

Because of the potential dangers, it’s illegal in Washington state to put hazardous waste in the garbage, a landfill or on private or public property.