Lauderdale County residents have an opportunity to dispose of waste that can’t be put out with household garbage as the county hosts a Solid Waste Amnesty Day on April 18.
Set for 8 a.m. to noon at the Lauderdale County Road Department, 210 Windmill Drive, Amnesty Day is a chance for people to dispose of old motor oil, paints and solvents, tires, appliances and other hazardous materials.
Solid Waste Enforcement Officer Daniel Mabry said the county tries to organize two amnesty days per year to make it easier for residents to properly dispose of their hazardous waste. Things like old batteries, fluorescent bulbs and electronics can be difficult to otherwise get rid of in the proper manner, he said.
“It can be difficult for residents to dispose of hazardous materials, and so we offer Amnesty Day twice a year to give them a chance to get rid of these materials properly,” he said.
Earlier this month, county supervisors approved contracts with Rhino LLC and Complete Environmental to collect and dispose of waste collected during the Amnesty Day event.
Mabry said there is no cost to participate in Amnesty Day, and it is open to Lauderdale County residents outside the city limits.
“The city of Meridian offers Amnesty Days for its residents. They receive a grant for their Amnesty Days inside the city limits, while we receive grant money for Amnesty Day outside the city limits,” he said.
Lauderdale County makes use of Solid Waste Assistance Grants through the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to help cover the costs of Amnesty Day events. The non-competitive grants can be used to cover up to 75% of the cost, with the county providing the remaining 25%.
The county is also currently applying for a competitive Solid Waste Assistance Grant for $60,000 to help combat illegal dumping, as well as a separate $180,000 Solid Waste Assistance Grant to launch a waste tire removal program.
Items accepted during Amnesty Day include:
— stale gasoline
— pesticides/herbicides
— solvents
— used oil (limit of five gallons)
— paint
— fertilizer
— appliances
— TVs/computers
— brake fluid
— antifreeze
— sharps
— batteries
— paint thinners
— fluorescent bulbs
— expired medication
— tires (limit of five passenger tires per household)