More than 1,000 gallons of paint and other solvents were properly disposed of Thursday, May 27, during the county’s annual household hazardous waste collection.
More than 100 households took advantage of the free disposal that is also offered the first and third Thursdays of each month.
The annual and monthly collections are organized by the land management office to keep harmful pollutants out of the environment.
“We’re keeping it out of the landfill and disposing of it in a responsible manner,” said land management director Eric Hartman.
Joining Hartman during Thursday’s six-hour annual collection were other land management officials, neighboring soil and water conservation district employees and residents from the Southwestern Youth Services in Magnolia.
Latex and oil-based paint was the most common product brought to the transfer station located east of Luverne.
Seven 55-gallon drums were filled with unwanted paint and 14 drums were filled with other fluids such as motor oil, anti-freeze and pesticides.
Three plastic containers were filled with aerosol cans alone including spray paint and pesticides. Three 55-gallon drums contained flammable liquids.
All items will be transported to a regional location, joining other counties’ household hazardous waste collections.
For an appointment to drop off household hazardous waste products or for any questions, contact the Rock County Land Management Office at 283-8862 ext. 4. This service is also free of charge.