n Two days are available, in Oxford and Verona.

By Mack Spencer

Monitor-Herald

Most people like to think of their homes as nice, safe places. While that is usually true, people don't always think about household products that can be dangerous if not handled and disposed of properly.

"When household products like cleaners, batteries and paint have outlived their usefulness, it's very tempting to just throw them in the garbage," said Sister Judy Sinnwell, chair of the Calhoun City Chamber of Commerce's Green Committee.

"However, the toxic nature of many of these products makes proper disposal very important. Polluting the environment with these products, even in a landfill destined for no further purpose, should be avoided."

Three Rivers Planning and Development District is giving residents of its eight-county region, including Calhoun, the opportunity to safely dispose of some of the many toxic substances that homeowners accumulate.

Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., waste products can be delivered to the armory parking lot next to the Oxford Conference Center, off Highway 6 at Sisk Ave. The next Saturday, April 25, collection will take place at the Lee County Agricenter, on Highway 145 South in Verona.

The disposal service is free.

Many products are eligible for disposal:

* Household cleaners - Aerosols, ammonia, bleach, detergents, disinfectants, drain openers, furniture and silver polish, glass cleaners, mothballs.

* Automotive products - Anti-freeze, brake fluid, batteries, engine fluids, gasoline and additives.

* Lawn and outdoor products - Lighter fluid, fertilizers, propane cylinder tanks, tires, water sealant.

* Pest control products - Herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, rodent poisons.

* Hobby products - Glues, paint and thinners, photographic chemicals, swimming pool chemicals, stains, turpentine, varnish.

* Appliances - Freezers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, compressors, water heaters, computers, other refuse metals and electronic waste.

"We urge churches, or even groups of neighbors, to collect their hazardous products and pool transportation to Oxford or Verona," Sinnwell said.

Commercial waste will not be accepted, nor trash items such as old sofas, roofing shingles, explosives, radioactive materials or unknown substances.

For more information, call Three Rivers Planning and Development District at 489-2415.