Public Works

 

Solid Waste Department

Solid Waste Management Plan Now Available

• Solid Waste Management Plan 29.1MB

More About What We Do

The Solid Waste Division of Public Works is responsible for several program areas encompassing waste disposal, recycling services, waste reduction and recycling education, hazardous waste education and disposal opportunities as well as providing support for the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. The division achieves these goals through tipping fees and a grant through the Department of Ecology (DOE).

Funding

The Solid Waste Division is funded by tipping fees at the Grant County Landfill and the drop box sites. The two-year Coordinated Prevention Grant from the Department of Ecology (DOE) provides funding for plan updates, recycling and hazardous waste programs. Budget decisions are made by the Public Works Director and the Grant County Commissioners.

Disposal of Solid Waste

Grant County operates the Grant County Landfill near Ephrata and thirteen drop box sites throughout the County. The current landfill near Ephrata is a modern landfill that was expanded in 2003 to a lined facility with a leachate collection system. Waste that is delivered to the drop box sites by Grant County residents is then transported to the landfill by truck.

Public Education

A large part of Grant County Solid Waste’s programs is education. Solid Waste staff provides brochures, classroom presentations, a recycling hotline to the public for alternative and safe disposal of the waste types, a twice-yearly newsletter which is distributed to teachers, and informational booths at farmers’ markets.

Recycling Opportunities

Grant County Solid Waste provides recycling opportunities at the Grant County Landfill and most drop box sites. Materials that can be recycled at no charge at the landfill include: used motor oil, antifreeze, automotive batteries, newspaper, aluminum cans, and cardboard. Most of the drop box sites have various levels of recycling opportunities. Scrap metal and appliances may also be recycled at all solid waste sites for a fee. Refrigerators do not need to be decommissioned before arriving at a solid waste site.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events

Grant County Solid Waste offers Household Hazardous Waste Collection events two or three times a year. These events are held on Saturdays and are for household generated waste only. The first event is held in Moses Lake during May. The second event is held in Ephrata during September. Depending on funding, a third event is held in October. Because funding for these events is provided through a grant from the Department of Ecology and Grant County Solid Waste tipping fees, there is no additional cost to participate.

Upcoming Events:

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
Saturday, May 12th, 2007
Moses Lake Aquatic Center parking lot
corner of 4th and Dogwood
Moses Lake
9am - 3pm

Saturday, September 15th, 2007
Ephrata Splashzone parking lot
780 A St. SE
Ephrata
9am - 3pm

What to Bring

Pesticides
Oil-based paints
Toxic cleaning products
Fluorescent light bulbs
Automotive Batteries
Hobby chemicals
Thinners and Solvents
Automotive products (oil, gasoline, antifreeze, brake fluid)
Aerosols
Products that contain Mercury (thermostats, mercury thermometers)
Glues and adhesives
Latex Paint (once dried out this may be put into the garbage if paint lid is removed.)
Rechargeable Batteries

Please Do Not Bring

Business, agency, or apartment maintenance waste
(Call 509-754-6082 for disposal information)
Medical Wastes
Empty containers of any type
Explosives (like bullets, fireworks)
Radioactive Materials like smoke detectors
Any other household wastes (like tires, appliances, garbage, etc.)
Electronic Waste (call 509-754-6082 for disposal information)

For everyone’s safety, please:

• • Don’t mix products.
• • Keep products in original containers.
• • Label products not in original containers.
• • Secure products so they won’t leak.
• • Store products away from the passenger compartment of your vehicle and keep them separate from items you wish to retain.
  • Stay in your vehicle during unloading.

 

Solid Waste Fee Schedule as of 01-01-2006

Drop box/Landfill Hours

Drop box Locations

 

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