ROGERS -- Through a partnership with the Benton County Solid Waste District, the Rogers Recycling Center will now accept household hazardous waste and bulk items two days a week at no cost to residents.
Previously, area residents were required to drive to a Centerton location to dump items such as paint, chemicals and light bulbs.
Bulk and household hazardous chemicals can be dropped off at the Rogers Recycling Center at 2300 N. Arkansas St. on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Information on what items can be dropped off can be found on the center’s http://rogersar.gov…">website.
Recycling Center Director Jerrold Haley said the Rogers option will be more convenient for some residents.
"There are people who won't drive to Centerton," Haley said. "Their solution has been to dump harmful chemicals."
Wendy Cravens, director of the Benton County Solid Waste District, said opening the Rogers satellite site is part of a pilot project. Another satellite site will open in Siloam Springs soon, she said.
"We are expanding our collection region instead of doing countywide cleanup days," Cravens said. "We are hoping to prove that it is cheaper and ultimately more convenient for citizens."
The county typically has held two cleanup days a year, Cravens said. The two events cost about $63,000 for the county to run each year.
Cravens said it costs a lot to set up the temporary events. It also is difficult to control the waste that comes in, she said.
"The huge flow of traffic makes it very difficult to limit the waste," Cravens said. "It ends up people are dropping off more than is allowed. We can be more restrictive and limited at permanent locations."
There is a cost for the district to dispose of items, Cravens said. A controlled environment can help the district reduce that cost, she said.
County officials will be updated on amount of waste dropped off at the satellite sites along with the cost every month, Cravens said. Officials will decide if the program should continue at the end of the year.
Haley said it's important people use these facilities to dump waste.
"First, it is illegal if they are dumping it," Haley said. "Chemicals and other toxins also could end up in our water system."
John Pennington, executive director of the Beaver Watershed Alliance, said that expanding the opportunity for people to drop off hazardous waste is important to water quality in the region.
"Every time we do a stream cleanup there is always waste, whether that be batteries or other household chemicals," Pennington said. "There are chemicals in these products that are harmful to human health, the environment and wildlife."
A lot of land in Northwest Arkansas is sensitive to drainage, Pennington said. This makes it easy for chemicals to find their way into groundwater and eventually people's well water, he said.
"Having more numerous options will benefit our environment," Pennington said. "It is a great program for the public."
The Rogers site also will allow for the disposal of bulk items such as tires and furniture.
Pennington said these items can also be harmful to the environment. They can damage stream banks and release toxins.
NW News on 02/11/2016