Team Keesler can take advantage of household hazardous waste collection Published April 4, 2007 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- When spring cleaning, don't forget to gather hazardous waste for proper disposal. The base environmental office is gearing up for the semi-annual free household hazardous waste collection day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19 in front of the recycling center, Building 4004, just west of the post office. "It's really important to get the participation of the Keesler community in this project," said Tom Minton, the base's hazardous waste manager. "We encourage participation from military housing and dormitory residents as well as base employees and retirees," he added. Mr. Minton said anything flammable, corrosive, toxic, poisonous or reactive is hazardous and should be properly disposed. "Look for words like 'caution,' 'warning' or 'danger' on container labels," Mr. Minton advised. "Common hazardous items around the house include paints and solvents, lawn care chemicals, household cleaning and maintenance products, pool chemicals, craft and hobby supplies and automotive products, batteries, thermometers, lead solder and fluorescent lights." Certain items can't be accepted -- radioactive waste, needles, syringes, medical waste, 'white goods' such as stoves and refrigerators, ammunition, explosive materials, waste generated by any business or base work area and containers more than five gallons in size. "Check all those 'out of sight, out of mind' storage places," Mr. Minton suggested. "Don't forget to look in the trunk of your automobile, and check those rusty old toolboxes in the shed." For more information, call the hazardous waste management office, 377-3004.