Even while sitting in one’s living room one is surrounded by hazardous waste.

Every household generates hazardous waste and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday Lawrence and Scioto County residents can dispose of that waste and other harmful materials free of charge.

The Lawrence-Scioto County Solid Waste Management District is hosting its ninth annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Saturday at Dow Chemicals/Americas Styrenics at 925 County Road 1-A in Hanging Rock.

Solid waste coordinator Dan Palmer says this is one of the district’s largest and most important events.

“We have a variety of programs available to the public and this is one of our biggest,” Palmer said. “Some county’s are toying with the notion of eliminating this type of event because the cost-to-benefit ratio is just not feasible.”

The event has maintained its popularity over the past few years. In 2011, Palmer said, 322 vehicles drove through, which is an average of 80 per hour, and in 2012, an average of 55 per hour. Last year 270 vehicles made their way through the event.

I’ve been getting phone calls all week from people asking about what can be disposed of,” Palmer said. “I anticipate a good crowd this year. I do ask that people be patient.”

It’s not uncommon, Palmer said, for cars to line up an hour prior to the start of the event where people can also dispose of unwanted or unneeded prescription medication.

“I want to personally thank (Lawrence County) Sheriff Jeff Lawless for lending us a deputy to handle the prescription medication disposal,” Palmer said. “We also couldn’t do this without the cooperation of (Dow Chemical plant manager) Brian Funk.”

For those who can’t make it to the event and need to throw away unwanted or unneeded pharmaceuticals, a drug drop box is located in the lobby of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office year round.

Palmer requests those who are bringing items to dispose of put them in a sturdy box that can be left at the event, do not mix any chemicals and have proof of residency, such as driver’s license or a utility bill.

Accepted items include scrap tires (passenger, light truck), 10 per person; lead acid batteries; motor oil; brake fluid; used antifreeze; paints, thinners and solvents; cleaners with acid or lye; pesticides; herbicides; pool chemicals; pharmaceuticals; electronics (cell phones, scanners, printers, etc.; and computers (CPU, monitor, keyboards and mice). Items not accepted are explosives; ammunition; trash needles/syringes; yard waste; heating oil tanks; fuel tanks; appliances; and televisions.