Blog courtesy of Jill FitzSimmons, Chelan County PIO
The Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility continues to see growth in the amount of household hazardous waste it is safely disposing of or recycling. In 2024, the facility squeaked out a new record, taking in 76.4 tons of household hazardous waste. In 2023, the facility took in more than 74.3 tons.
The facility welcomed 2190 visitors last year, for an average of 70 lbs of waste dropped off per household. Annual tracking shows that latex paint is the most popular waste dropped off, with 54,494 lbs collected last year.
Other top drop-offs were: 22,000 lbs of used oil; 12,297 lbs of oil-based paints; 9849 lbs of toxic flammable liquids (pesticides, automotive fluids, linseed oil); 9257 lbs of paint-related flammable liquids; 8800 lbs of flammable liquids (gas, diesel and kerosene) and 8330 lbs of antifreeze.
The majority of the material collected is recycled, as opposed to being used as an energy source or incinerated. In 2024, 69% of the material was recycled, compared to 38% in 2020. Last year, 22% was used as an energy resource and 5% was incinerated.
4% of the material is only partially used and in good, clean condition. It is placed on a free reuse cart. People are encouraged to look through the cart, which includes everything from spray paint to motor oil to household pesticides, and take home something to use.
The facility is free to Chelan County residents. More information and hours can be found here.
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