Tox-Away Days disposed 146 tons of hazardous material this year

Volunteers handle hazardous waste disposed of during a Tox-Away Day event in Parke County.

Courtesy photo

Making an effort to safely remove toxic and hazardous materials that can affect the health and safety of residents is why the West Central Solid Waste District (WCSWD) began sponsoring Tox-Away Days in 1997.

In 2019, WCSWD’s one-day collection events removed 139,000 pounds of tires, 44,490 pounds of appliances, 39,727 pounds of electronics, 168 pounds of medications and sharps and 73,701 pounds of other harmful wastes (such as pesticides, fuels, oil, oil-based paint, fluorescent tubes, cleansers and chemicals) throughout Montgomery, Parke and Putnam counties.

According to the WCSWD’s executive director Jane Collisi, “Improper disposal of these items can cause water, soil and air contamination which can lead to illness in people and animals who rely on a healthy environment.

“Residents have grown to understand the importance of these collection events,” added Collisi, who estimates that over 7.1 million pounds of toxic and hazardous waste has been properly removed from the three-county district in the last 22 years.

The WCSWD contracts events through Heritage Environmental Services and NuGenesis to properly sort, recycle and dispose of all items collected by hazmat-trained personnel.

Tox-Away Days will kick off again in May of next year at the Area 30 Career Center in Greencastle.

Dates and locations and a printable flyer can be found on the WCSWD’s website at www.westcentralswd.com.

Montgomery, Parke and Putnam county residents are welcome to attend any and all events.