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MISSOULA -In an attempt to keep the public safe, the Missoula Valley Water Quality District is once again accepting household hazardous waste.

This is the 18th year, and officials say it's one of the busiest.

Officials urge residents to bring in their hazardous chemical products, such as pesticides, poisons, oil-based paints, and solvents.

The group will then either recycle, incinerate, or ship the products to a hazardous waste landfill.

Officials say it isn't good to keep products around your house if you have children or pets.

"Well it seems to be very appreciated by the public, it's and opportunity to get rid of things from your home, make your home a little safer, protect water quality, and get rid of things in an environmentally sound way." Peter Nielsen, Health dept. environmental health supervisor.

If you didn't get a chance to stop by today they will be open Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Scott Street City Shops.

Previous Story-The 18th Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection, better known as Haz Waste Days, is set to take place on September 10th and September 11th at the Scott Street City Shops.

Residents are being get rid of unneeded or unusable hazardous chemical products such as pesticides, poisons, oil-based paints and solvents. Missoula County residents may drop off many unwanted hazardous and toxic materials for no charge, including oil-based paints and stains, paint thinner, degreasers, fuels, used motor oil, antifreeze, fertilizer, pesticides no longer registered for use by EPA, and rechargeable household batteries (alkaline batteries can be disposed of in trash).

Items accepted for a nominal fee include pesticides, caustics, strong acids and chlorinated solvents. The fee covers approximately ¼ of our costs for shipping and disposing the waste. Businesses and out-of-county residents will be charged our costs for disposal of all waste.

A mercury thermometer exchange will allow people to bring in their old mercury fever thermometers for disposal and receive a coupon for a free digital fever thermometer in exchange. Mercury is a toxic substance that can pollute air and water.

The Missoula Water Quality District is also encouraging folks to consider donating useable products to someone who can use them up. This eliminates the need for disposing of the item, and reduces the manufacture of additional product.

Latex paint will not be accepted again this year, because it is not considered a hazardous waste, and can be dried out and discarded with regular trash (with lid off). In addition, car batteries and fluorescent bulbs will not be handled at the City Shops collection site.

Local health and fire agencies urge people to clear out unneeded flammable liquids such as oil-based paints, paint thinners, fuels, waste oil and solvents. These flammable products can be easily ignited and quickly accelerate a fire. They also pose a threat to the health of firefighters and neighbors when they are burned.

The Scott Street City Shops are located at the intersection of Scott and Turner (Click here to see a map) and the hours for the collection are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, September 10th, and 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 11th.

For more information on how to be a smart consumer and reduce your use of toxic products, click here. View information on what products are being accepted at the Scott Street Shops by clicking here.