A new record was set in 2023 at the Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility. The facility took in its greatest amount of household hazardous waste yet – more than 74.3 tons.
In comparison, the drive-up facility collected 66 tons in 2022 from residents. The new record is a 12.5 percent increase over the previous year.
“The amount of waste collected at the facility has increased every year since it opened in 2019,” said Eric Pierson, Chelan County Public Works director/county engineer. “This is household hazardous waste that people are getting out of their homes to be safely recycled, keeping it out of our local landfills and the environment.”
In 2023, the facility also recorded a 36.3 percent increase in its number of visitors. There were 2,201 visits to the facility in 2023, compared to 1,614 in 2022. That means 2023 visitors averaged 67.5 pounds of household hazardous waste each.
Opened in December 2019, the 5,000-square-foot facility was built with a mix of state, county and city monies. The year-round facility serves as a drop-off location for citizens with household hazardous wastes such as latex and oil-based paints, antifreeze, gas, common cleaners, lawn and garden pesticides, motor oil and paint thinners and spray paints. The waste is packaged for shipment at the facility, and a contractor hauls the material away for safe recycling or disposal.
Annually tracking shows that latex paint, which the facility started collecting in 2022 when it joined Washington’s statewide paint recycling program, is by far the most popular waste dropped off at the facility, with 60,173 pounds collected last year.
Much of the material brought into the facility is flammable or toxic, including:
25,596 pounds of used oil (motor and hydraulic)
12,837 pounds of paint-related flammable liquids (oil-based paints, for example)
6,400 pounds of flammable liquids (gas, diesel and kerosene)
The majority of the material collected is recycled, as opposed to being used as an energy resource or incinerated. In 2023, 68 percent of the material was recycled, compared to 46 percent in 2021.
About 3 percent of the material dropped off is only partially used and in good, clean condition. It is placed on a free reuse cart. People are encouraged to take a look through the cart, which includes everything from spray paint to motor oil to household pesticides, and take something home to use.
The facility is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month. Visit the facility at 3612 Highway 97A in Wenatchee.
Last Updated: 02/27/2024 11:59 AM
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The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
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The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
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The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
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Assessor's Office Community Meeting: Leavenworth and Lake Wenatchee
Posted by: Chelan County Assessor
Chelan County Assessor Wes Cornelius invites property owners and all interested parties to attend one of four community meetings scheduled this spring throughout the county.