Small Business Hazardous Waste Day is an annual event at the landfill and is taking place June 7, 2024. This program provides businesses who meet the definition of “conditionally exempt small quantity generators” with a legal and affordable solution to hazardous waste disposal. It does require pre-registering a week in advance, so if you missed it this year, mark your calendar for early 2025 and join us next time.
For those with hazardous waste at home, the Flathead County Solid Waste (FCSW) hosts a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on the 3rd Saturday of every month. Just fill out the registration form at https://flathead.mt.gov/department-directory/waste, and they’ll mail you a postcard with your appointment time.
Hazardous waste is any substance that has the potential to injure people, pets or the environment through skin contact or ingestion. It can be in your kitchen, basement, garage, shop or greenhouse. Common examples are oil base paint, thinner, solvents, adhesives, stains, cleaners, furniture stripper, ammonia, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, poisons, fertilizers, tree sprays, fuel carburetor cleaner, flea powder, lye, turpentine . . .etc.
Many items like these can be taken for granted. But if they are not used properly as instructed on the label, or used completely, they have the potential to cause harm to you, your family, pets, neighbors and our drinking water.
Remember, we are all responsible for the hazardous wastes we produce or use from the time they are generated until they are properly, legally disposed of. (It is not legal to place hazardous waste in dumpsters with your commonly recognized trash items.)
Take advantage of the FCSW programs designed to help you easily and responsibly dispose of hazardous waste. Be a part of making a positive impact on our environment.
For additional resources, check out Managing Your Hazardous Waste: A Guide for Small Businesses from the United States Environmental Protection Agency at https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-10/documents/10008_managingyourhazwaste_508pdf_october_16_2019.pdf