Berrien County residents can recycle and safely dispose of unwanted household chemicals and medical waste, recycle electronics, and get their personal documents shredded on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Southeast Berrien County Landfill Recycle Center, which is located at 3200 Chamberlain Road, Buchanan. The recycling event runs from 8 a.m. to noon.

This event is open to Berrien County residents only. Accepted household chemicals include auto liquids, garage chemicals, yard and garden chemicals, cleaners, pool chemicals, solvents, oil-based paint, stain, toiletries, flammable liquids, and poisons. Also accepted are household and auto batteries of all sizes, fluorescent light bulbs, and home medical waste including pills and sharps. Unwanted pills can be brought in their original container or combined together in a bag. Medical sharps/needles must be brought in a puncture proof container. No loose sharps will be accepted.

Items not accepted include latex paint, which is water-based paint.

Please leave latex paint at home. Latex paint can be dried out and placed in with regular curbside trash. To quickly dry out latex paint, mix in latex paint drying powder that can be found at most hardware stores. Or, mix in kitty litter, sand, shredded paper, or other non-toxic material to help speed up drying time. Other items that are not accepted are gas grill-size propane tanks, ammunition and waste from businesses.

Donations are accepted to offset the collection, transportation, and processing costs of the household chemicals.

Green Earth Electronics Recycling will be collecting all consumer electronics, which includes anything with a cord or runs on batteries, for recycling. There is a hazardous waste fee of $5 per CRT computer monitor, and $10 per CRT Television, due at the event by cash or check. Other electronics are accepted at no cost to the resident. Green Earth Electronics Recycling is a registered electronics recycler with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. They also accept electronics Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at their facility in St. Joseph, Michigan. Contact Green Earth Electronics Recycling directly with questions at (269) 326-1232.

County residents can also bring personal documents for on-site shredding at no cost. Participants must remove any three-ring binders, large binder clips and heavy plastics before bringing documents. The Southeast Berrien County Landfill Authority is sponsoring the on-site shredding truck, providing this service free to residents.

More information can be found at www.berriencounty.org/recycle or call Jill Adams at (269) 983-7111 ext. 8234.

The event is coordinated by the Berrien County Parks Department and S.E.B.C. Landfill Authority.