Safely Dispose of Hazardous Waste in Killeen July 20

If you've got old paint or car batteries lying around and you want to get rid of responsibly, you'll want to mark your calendar for Saturday, July 20.

The Texas Council of Governments invites residents of Bell, Coryell, Hamilton, Lampasas, Milam, Mills, and San Saba County to the Killeen Special Events Center at 3301 S. WS Young Drive from 9 AM to 2 PM that day to safely dispose of things we're not always sure what to do with.

Accepted materials include paints, pesticides, herbicides, household cleaners, acids, used cooking oil, automotive chemical, and automobile batteries. Fluorescent bulbs and tubes are also OK.

The Council just asks that everything be in original containers if possible, and that they be carefully loaded and secured for transport to prevent spillage or breakage.

They will not be accepting brush, explosives, or pressurized containers. Radioactive material isn't acceptable either, so if you've got extra spicy waste...wait, why do you have radioactive material?!

You can see a more detailed list of what's OK and what's not at killeentexas.gov/312/Recycling-Center. (You'll have to scroll down a ways.)

I hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity. Dumping that stuff down the drain or outdoors can pollute our water and potentially harm other humans and wildlife. It's also illegal.