By 1812Blockhouse
Richland County residents looking to clear out old paint, fuels, chemicals, batteries, and other hard-to-dispose-of materials will have a free local option this summer.
Richland County Solid Waste will host its 2026 Household Hazardous Waste collection event on Saturday, July 11, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Richland County Fairgrounds.
The event is designed for residents who have accumulated household materials that should not be poured down drains, placed in regular trash, or left sitting indefinitely in garages, basements, barns, or sheds.
What To Bring
A wide range of household hazardous materials will be accepted at no charge. Items listed for collection include aluminum paint, oil-based paints, lighter fluid, old gasoline, two-cycle gasoline, thinners, turpentine, kerosene, adhesives, polishes, propane, used oil, vehicle batteries, lithium batteries, alkaline batteries, Ni-Cad batteries, pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, lawn chemicals, household cleaners, strong chemicals, acids and caustics, bleach, drain cleaners, pool chemicals, aerosols, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, asbestos, rat poisons, and several types of cylinders, including Freon, CO2, helium, and oxygen cylinders.
The event provides a practical outlet for many of the items residents often know they should not throw away, but may not know where to take.
What Not To Bring
Organizers are also emphasizing that some materials will not be accepted. The list of excluded items includes acetylene cylinders, ammunition, business waste, medical waste, tires, trash, diapers, and pharmaceuticals. Pesticide tanks from farmers will not be accepted. Drums containing mixed materials also will not be taken, and neither will unmarked cylinders or cylinders with broken or inoperable valves.
How The Drop-Off Will Work
Traffic will enter the fairgrounds using Longview Avenue and then Lantz Road. Drivers should use the South Gate entrance by the grandstands. The exit will be onto Home Road only.
Residents are asked to stay in their vehicles during the collection process. Items will be removed from the trunk or rear of the vehicle by Environmental Enterprises employees. Anyone who wants a container returned should let an employee know at the drop-off point. The stay-in-your-vehicle process is intended to keep the line moving and make handling safer for both residents and workers.
Keeping Hazardous Materials Out Of The Waste Stream
Household hazardous waste events serve a simple but important purpose: they give residents a controlled way to dispose of materials that can pose risks when handled improperly.
Old fuels, chemicals, paints, pesticides, and batteries can create environmental and safety concerns if they are discarded with regular household trash or stored for years after they are no longer useful. A one-day collection event allows those materials to be gathered, sorted, and handled through a proper disposal process.
The 2026 event is sponsored by Environmental Enterprises, Inc., the Richland County Fairgrounds, and Richland Public Health. For more information, call 419-774-5861 or visit richlandrecycles.com.
