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Household Hazardous Waste
Events
Grant County Solid Waste offers Household Hazardous Waste Collection events two or three times a year. These events are held on Saturdays in the spring and fall and are for household-generated waste only. Most events are held in Moses Lake and Ephrata. Because funding for these events is provided through a grant from the Department of Ecology and from Grant County Solid Waste tipping fees, there is no additional cost for residents to participate. Residents who bring items that are not accepted at an event will be assisted in finding other disposal options.
View information about the October 2021 Household Hazardous Waste Event (PDF)
Precautions
For everyone’s safety, please:
- Don’t mix products
- Keep products in original containers. Containers will not be returned for everyone's safety.
- Label products not in original containers. Containers will not be returned for everyone's safety.
- Secure products so they won’t leak.
- Store products away from the passenger compartment of your vehicle and keep them separate from items you wish to retain.
- Stay in your vehicle during unloading.
Year-Round Disposal Options
To assist the public with finding year-round disposal options for some types of hazardous waste, please view Year-Round Disposal Options (PDF)
Antifreeze Collection
Four collection sites are available throughout Grant County to safely dispose of antifreeze. View our flier about Antifreeze Collection (PDF).
Used Motor Oil
View our brochure about Used Motor Oil Collection (PDF).
Lithium Batteries
View our Lithium Battery Danger Safety Sheet (PDF).
Latex Paint (Water-Based)
Household size quantities of liquid, latex paint may be disposed of at the Ephrata Landfill; latex paint, once dried out and the lid removed, may be put in the garbage can. If you can wash the brushes out with soap and water, it’s latex paint. Latex paint may also be recycled through PaintCare. Visit Paintcare.org
Interior and Exterior Architectural Coatings
May be recycled through PaintCare. PaintCare (PDF) brochure
Unused Medication
Several local police departments in partnership with Grant County Health District offer Drug Take-Back Drop Sites. View Collection Locations and Hours of Unused Medications (PDF).
What to Bring to the Collection Events
- Aerosols
- Automotive products (contaminated used motor oil*, gasoline, antifreeze, brake fluid)
- Fire extinguishers
- Glues and adhesives
- Herbicides
- Hobby chemicals
- Non-rechargeable Lithium batteries
- Oil Based Paint (label indicated flammable material and brushes are to be cleaned with thinner)
- Pesticides
- Products that contain mercury (thermostats, mercury thermometers)
- Rechargeable batteries
- Thinners and solvents
- Toxic cleaning products
Do Not Bring to the Collection Events
- Any other household wastes (like tires, appliances, garbage, etc.)
- Automotive batteries (year-round collection sites available)
- Business, agency, or apartment maintenance waste (Call 509-754-6082 for disposal information)
- Electronic Wastes
- Empty containers of any type
- Explosives (bullets, fireworks)
- Medical wastes (prescription drugs-year-round sites are available)
- Propane tanks (year-round collection sites available)
- Radioactive materials like smoke detectors
- Sharps (Residents may dispose of sharps in a rigid, plastic container with a screw on lid)
- Uncontaminated used motor oil (year-round collection sites available)
Business Generated Hazardous Waste Assistance
Grant County Solid Waste assists small quantity generators (SQG) in finding disposal options for dangerous waste. To learn more about SQGs, please visit the Department of Ecology.
An SQG may dispose of hazardous waste the day before a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event or hire a company to pick it up at the business location. Both options usually require a fee. For more information about disposal options, please contact the Solid Waste Programs Coordinator. Please allow a few weeks to get signed up for a collection event. An SQG may also use PaintCare to dispose of architectural paint.