Household waste, electronics pickups begin

The first in a series of electronics recycling and household hazardous waste collection events will take place Thursday at Sugar House Park in Salt Lake City.

It will run from 7 a.m.-10 a.m. at the Mount Olympus pavilion.

The Salt Lake County Health Department will accept electronic products such as computers, cell phones, televisions and stereo equipment. Household hazardous wastes include yard-care chemicals, pesticides, fuels, paints, batteries, fluorescent light tubes, used oil, antifreeze and cleaning supplies.

Business waste, explosives, radioactive materials and old tires cannot be taken, said Dan Moore, the health department's household hazardous waste program manager.

"Properly disposing of scrap electronics and household hazardous waste is critical to protecting our soil and water," he said. "Keeping these items out of our landfills also increases their useful lifespan."

The Health Department will hold community collection events on most Thursdays this summer. Additional cleanups are scheduled:

• June 12, July 10, Aug. 14 at Sandy City Public Works, 8775 S. 700 West

• June 19, July 17, Aug. 21 at Holladay City Center, 4626 S. 2300 East

• June 26, July 31, Aug. 28 at Draper City Park, northwest parking lot, 12500 S. 1300 East

• July 3 and Aug. 7 at the same location in Sugar House Park (pharmaceuticals also are collected at this site);

Meanwhile, the Salt Lake City division of sustainability also will collect electronic wastes on several Saturdays between 8 a.m. and noon:

• June 21 at Smith's, 876 E. 800 South

• July 19 at Smith's, 1174 W. 600 North

• Aug. 16 at Smith's, 455 S. 500 East

The South Korean company Samsung pays for electronic waste recycling in the county, saving taxpayers $168,000 last year, Moore added.

mikeg@sltrib.com

Twitter: @sltribmikeg