Old paints, solvents and other hazardous household chemicals can go to a free drop-off on Aug. 29, when Licking County Recycling holds its first collection event in more than 10 years. New Albany residents who live in the Licking County portion of the city are directly eligible.

The drop-off runs from 8 a.m. to noon at the Licking County Highway Department garage complex, 775 E. Main St. in Newark, near the intersection of East Main Street and O'Bannon Avenue. Residents must bring proof of residency, such as a driver's license or utility bill.

"It's been over a decade since we received funding to host an event like this, so we expect to see a lot of residents with a lot of waste," Licking County Recycling director Andrea Krava said in the department's press release.

A funding gap kept the program dormant for years. The Coshocton, Fairfield, Licking and Perry Solid Waste District is paying for the Aug. 29 event, with Environmental Enterprises Inc., a Columbus-based hazardous waste firm, handling collection and disposal on site.

Who qualifies

The event is open only to Licking County households. Waste from businesses, churches, schools and other organizations will not be accepted.

New Albany straddles Franklin and Licking counties. Residents unsure which side they fall on can check the county listed on their driver's license or property tax bill. Those in the Franklin County portion are served instead by SWACO's permanent household hazardous waste facility at 645 E. 8th Ave. in Columbus, open weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

What to know before you go

Latex paint will not be accepted. A full list of accepted and excluded items is available at LickingCounty.gov/RLC.

Krava said the department expects high turnout given the long gap, and the press release notes the event may end before noon if collection trucks fill up.

For questions, contact Licking County Recycling at (740) 670-5125.

Upcoming community dates

  • Aug. 13 — Gahanna's new Civic Center opens
  • Aug. 19 — Plain Township pool shifts to weekends only
  • Aug. 29 — Licking County Hazardous Waste Collection Day, 8 a.m.–noon, Newark
  • Sept. 8 — Gahanna time capsule public unveiling