TCEQ offers hazardous waste collection site in Bell County

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is offering rural Texans the opportunity to dispose of banned or unwanted pesticides, properly rinsed plastic pesticide containers, used motor oil, oil filters and lead-acid batteries free of charge.

Collection is Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bell County Expo Center.

Agricultural wastes to be collected include tractor-waste products, such as brake and transmission fluids; and agricultural supplies, such as pesticides, insecticides, harvest chemicals, pesticides used on livestock, weed killers and rat poison.

All agricultural chemicals are eligible for acceptance excluding: more than five gallons of pesticides, herbicides, or wood preservatives containing 2, 4, 5-T, 2, 4, 5, TP (Silvex) or pentachlorophenol; and any non-hazardous fertilizers or nutrient materials that do not contain pesticide admixtures.

No tires, explosives, compressed gas cylinders, household wastes or wastes from chemical dealers will be accepted. In addition, staff will not accept wastes from school chemistry or biology labs, or franchise pesticide applicators certified by the Texas Structural Pest Control Board.

Empty, plastic pesticide containers must be clean and triple- or high-pressure rinsed to be accepted. For large quantities of plastic pesticide containers, contact USAg Recycling at (800) 654-3145 to arrange free pickup.

There is a limit of two 55- gallon drums per participant on oil filter recycling, and filters will not be accepted from businesses that change oil for a fee.

Agricultural Waste Pesticide Collections are co-sponsored by the TCEQ's Small Business and Environmental Assistance Division, Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas Department of Agriculture, and USAg Recycling.

For more information about collections, contact County Extension Agent Dirk Aaron at (254) 933-5305 or visit www.tceq.state.tx.us/assistance/ AgWaste/agwaste.html.