Six hundred and forty-five Oklahoma City residents dropped off 250,612 pounds of ammunition, medications, computers and tires during the City’s annual Special Collection event held on April 6 at the OKC Fairgrounds.
Residents delivered 227,268 pounds of tires, 22,000 pounds of computers, 600 pounds of ammunition and set a new record of 744 pounds of medications.
“This was our 47th Special Collection Event since 1995,” Environmental Protection Superintendent Derek Johnson said. “We are always excited to see increased community participation, and we are already planning for next year’s event.”
Oklahoma City partners with the Department of Environmental Quality to provide environmentally friendly tire disposal options. The Oklahoma City Police Department and Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics provide disposal of ammunition and medications through incineration. Sensitive computer parts are shredded, and any precious metals and recyclables are recovered.
Oklahoma City residents are encouraged to start saving their hazardous waste for next year’s event, which is typically scheduled on the first Saturday in April.
Residents needing to dispose of a variety of household hazardous waste, including gasoline, automotive fluids, batteries, pesticides, weed killers, swimming pool chemicals and paint-related products can drop them off at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center at 1621 S Portland Ave. The facility is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Bring your water bill as proof of residency.
The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center is operated by the Storm Water Quality Management Division of the Public Works Department. Visit okc.gov/hhw for a list of materials the facility accepts. For more information, call (405) 682-7038.
Source: OKC release