September 11, 2009 -- The City of Houston is holding a batteries, motor oil, LATEX paint and antifreeze (B.O.P.A.) mobile collection event on Saturday, September 26, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Ellington Field recycling drop-off site, Highway 3 at Brantley Avenue, Houston, Texas 77034. The event is free and open to all City of Houston residents. A valid Texas driver’s license or other proof of residency will be required. This is a rain or shine event.
Many common household materials are considered hazardous and need special disposal. When Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is disposed of in the trash, it can contaminate landfills and subsequently our groundwater. This event provides an opportunity for residents to rid their homes of potentially dangerous chemicals, the most common of which are BOPA. Proper disposal of HHW helps protect our environment, our sanitation employees and our community.
The mobile B.O.P.A. truck used in these type events is not equipped to handle all the items that can be dropped off at the city’s household hazardous waste facilities. Below is a list of acceptable and non-acceptable items for the Saturday, September 26th collection event:
ACCEPTED ITEMS: Only residential waste (rechargeable household & automobile batteries, motor oil and filters, LATEX paint, and antifreeze). Used motor oil will be limited to 5-gallons. All liquids are required to be in sealed, non-leaking containers. The original container with label is preferable. Repackaged items must be labeled as to contents.
ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED: Business, medical, and agricultural waste will not be accepted. Oil-based paints, solvents, flammables, pesticides, herbicides and other similar hazardous materials will also not be accepted at this event.
The Ellington Field recycling drop-off site is open year-round and accepts a variety of items. The items accepted are newspapers, magazines, telephone books, catalogs, ad inserts, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, aluminum cans, tin cans, aerosol cans, steel cans and #1 and #2 plastic bottles.
Residents may check online at www.houstonsolidwaste.org for additional information on our permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection facilities (Environmental Service Centers) or may call 3-1-1, the City of Houston’s Customer Service Hotline.
