Moderate Risk Waste Facility Seeing Higher Usage Than Estimates

The Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility has seen noticeably more usage so far this year than what was estimated.

In fact, the facility experienced over 81 pounds of hazardous waste per household, 13 pounds more per household than what was anticipated.

Public Works PIO Jill FitzSimmons said if Chelan County didn't have the year-round facility, they would be looking at having their typical collection events every other year or so.

"Those events are very expensive." explained FitzSimmons, "We had gotten to the point where, with the funding we were getting, we were only able to have them every other year. This is a resource where people in our county can come and use it three days a week."

The facility has collected and processed more than 26 tons of household hazardous waste since the beginning of the year, almost 20 percent more than estimated.

The facility is averaging about 100 visitors per month. Opened in December of 2019, the 5,000 square foot facility was built with a mix of state, county, and city funds.

Paint-related flammable liquids were the most collected material, with used oil second and toxic flammable liquids third.

FitzSimmons added that the biggest issue staff is running into at the facility is people dropping off latex and water-based paint. The moderate risk waste facility does not accept those type of paints. FitzSimmons suggests drying the paint out yourself, and then taking it out to your garbage.