On average we store about 20 gallons of hazardous materials like leftover paints, extra fuel, pesticide, or fertilizer in the basement or garage, while telling ourselves we'll get rid of it later. Well, now is the time!

Many of these household chemicals should not be put in the trash or poured down the sink. One should never pour any chemical on the ground or in a storm drain! The Rappahannock Regional Solid Waste Management Board (R-Board) is offering a free alternative for the safe disposal of your household chemicals to Stafford and City of Fredericksburg residents. You can bring fuel, paints, fertilizers, cleaners, or other household chemicals to the Regional Landfill in Stafford on Saturday, May 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The landfill is located at 489 Eskimo Hill Road in Stafford. Spotsylvania County has already had their household hazardous waste collection for the spring and is planning another on September 24. The R-Board will also be having its second collection this year at the Belman Road Recycling Center in Fredericksburg on September 24.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designates a substance as hazardous if it can catch fire, react, or explode when mixed with other substances, or is corrosive or toxic. Below is a list of waste materials that the R-Board accepts: Kitchen: bug spray, floor care products, cleaners, furniture polish, and metal polish with solvent.

Garage: transmission fluid, brake fluid, car wax with solvent, diesel fuel, fuel oil, gasoline, kerosene, cutting oil, solvent-based glue, fiberglass epoxy, turpentine, fertilizers, and pesticides. Basement: oil-based paint and paint brushes with solvent, primer, varnish

Miscellaneous: artist paints and mediums, model paint, moth balls, swimming pool acid, gun cleaning solvents, dry cleaning solvents, lighter fluid, mercury batteries and thermometers, and photographic chemicals.

The R-Board accepts batteries, fluorescent bulbs, used oil, and antifreeze on a daily basis. There is also no need to store latex paint until the next collection either. Just pop off the lid and let it dry. Then you can dispose of it in your regular trash. For faster drying, you may purchase a paint hardener or use kitty litter to absorb the liquid.