Rotary’s Hazardous Waste Collection Day set for Sept. 27

The Aurora Rotary Club is coordinating a community-based household hazardous waste collection day at the fairgrounds Saturday, Sept. 27, with volunteers from several entities working together to help protect the area’s environment.
Local residents will be able to get rid of unwanted hazardous materials stored in their garages, basements and attics, all of which will be properly disposed of at a licensed facility in Grand Island. 
Collection stations will be set up at the Hamilton County fairgrounds from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. 
There will be a change in the set-up this year at the fairgrounds. Participants will be directed to enter the grounds at the northeast entrance off of 8th Street, then drive through the various drop-off locations before exiting at the main entrance. In previous years, the far west entrance was used as the entrance.
The local Rotary club typically coordinates its hazardous waste collection effort every other year, with the last event conducted in October of 2023.
In addition to items collected in previous years, area residents will be able to clear out their medicine cabinets and filing cabinets. Jim’s U-Save Pharmacy will accept all medications that anyone wants to dispose of at its Highway 34 location, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
As for those piles of unwanted paper or records, Heritage Bank is sponsoring the Paper Tiger of Hastings as well.
Marty Pierson of Aurora, owner of E-stroyed Technology Waste Solutions, will be in charge of collecting and disposing of computer-related items. He noted that no tube televisions will be accepted, including rear-projection TVs, though computer monitors, keyboards, cords and related devices will be.
Items to be collected this year as in the past include paints and stains; aerosol cans; pesticides and fertilizer. No ag-related chemicals will be accepted.
A majority of items collected in Aurora will be taken that same day to the Grand Island Area Clean Community System, located on Sky Park Road.
Other items that WILL NOT be accepted include televisions, batteries, medicines, fuel, antifreeze and other used automotive liquids.
Disposal of household hazardous waste will be free since the Grand Island Area Clean Community System is supported by grants from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the Nebraska Environmental Trust.
The Aurora Rotary Club helps coordinate the event, though volunteers from Aurora High School will also be involved.