The Rappahannock Regional Solid Waste Management Board (R-Board) has scheduled two events during which Stafford and Fredericksburg residents can safely dispose of hazardous wastes from their homes.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days will be held at the Belman Road Recycling Center, located at 1200 Belman Road in Fredericksburg, on Saturday, May 16 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., and at the Regional Landfill in Stafford on Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The landfill is located at 489 Eskimo Hill Road in Stafford. Residents from both localities will be able to bring hazardous wastes to either site for disposal in an environmentally responsible manner. Stafford and Fredericksburg residents must show proof of residency in either locality.

The Environmental Protection Agency designates a substance hazardous if it can catch fire, react or explode when mixed with other substances, or is corrosive or toxic. Many items found in garages, basements, bathrooms and kitchens are considered hazardous. Below is a list of waste materials that will be accepted at the sites, including the areas in and around the home in which they can be found.

Kitchen: bug spray, floor care products, furniture polish and metal polish with solvent.

Garage: automatic transmission fluid, battery acid (or battery), brake fluid, car wax with solvent, diesel fuel, fuel oil, gasoline, kerosene, motor oil or other oils, oil-based paint and paint brushes with solvent, cutting oil, solvent-based glue, model paint, fiberglass epoxy, primer and turpentine.

Miscellaneous: artist paints and mediums, varnish, moth balls, swimming pool acid, gun cleaning solvents, dry cleaning solvents, lighter fluid, mercury batteries and thermometers, old fire alarms, photographic chemicals, fluorescent bulbs and latex paint.

Medical and radioactive waste will not be accepted.

Individuals will be asked to remain in their vehicles while trained personnel dispose of the hazardous materials. Surveys will also be conducted to determine the kind and amount of materials being disposed.

For more information about the Hazardous Waste Program, contact Diane Jones in the Stafford Office of Recycling and Litter Prevention at (540) 658-8680 or visit the R-Board Web site at www.r-board.org.

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