Lawrence-Scioto Solid Waste Management District and its partners are trying to clean up our roads, streams and landfills one household at a time.

By offering free and convenient ways to dispose of unwanted items that shouldn’t just be tossed out with the regular garbage, the agency is doing its part to ensure that these items are disposed of properly.

That is the impetus behind the fifth annual Household Hazardous Waste Event, to be Saturday, Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Dow Chemical plant on County Road 1-A.

Although many of those who participate are citizens who already try to do the right thing and wouldn’t dispose of this stuff inappropriately, this event has been a huge success any way you measure it.

If you look at the pure numbers alone, it is hard to argue with the results.

That one-day event brought in 15 batteries, 868 tires, 1,000 pounds of aerosols, 8,000 pounds of paint thinners, 13,000 pounds of latex paint. 3,400 pounds of flammable liquids and 17,000 pounds of electronics.

Items accepted include scrap tires with a limit of six per person; lead-acid batteries, motor oil, brake fluid, used antifreeze, paint, thinners solvents, cleaners with acid or lye, pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electronics and computers.

Items not accepted include explosives, trash, ammunition, needles or syringes, yard waste, heating oil tanks, fuel tanks and appliances.

For the second year, the event will include disposal of prescription medications. The old standby of flushing these things down the toilet is frowned upon by the EPA.

Last year, 150 pounds of medications were destroyed and organizers think this will grow this year.

This is a tremendous effort for the one day and we hope it can soon become a monthly or quarterly offering.

As long as waste is coming in, this is time and money well spent.