The Lauderdale County residents on Saturday disposed of hazardous household waste during the county’s Solid Waste Amnesty Day at the Road Department’s Central Garage.
Funded through a grant from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Amnesty Day is an opportunity for residents to get rid of old paint, used oil, tires, electronics and other materials that cannot be included in regular household garbage.
Roughly 300 vehicles came through the event, which ran from 8 a.m. to noon.
David Mayatt, who helped oversee the event, said Lauderdale County tries to offer the service each spring and fall.
“It’s where the citizens can get rid of waste that doesn’t need to go to the landfill, like old oil, old gas, old aerosol paint, tires, appliances, fluorescent light bulbs, stuff like that,” he said.
Residents face limited options when looking to dispose of hazardous materials, Mayatt said. Landfills won’t accept them, and there aren’t many alternatives. By hosting Amnesty Day and giving residents a chance to get rid of hazardous garbage properly, the county can both provide a service to citizens and cut down on instances of dumping in county ditches.
“This all boils down to trying to keep Lauderdale County beautiful,” he said. “Keep it off the side of the roads and stuff like that.”
The next Amnesty Day is set for Sept. 19, 2026.