Houston, TX - Council Member Dave Martin and the City of Houston will be holding a Batteries, Oil, Paint (latex only) and Antifreeze (B.O.P.A.) mobile collection event to help residents safely dispose of items in their home that are hazardous and should not be placed in garbage or recycling carts. If they enter the landfill, they pose as a threat to the environment, including our local watershed.

The event will take place Saturday, December 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Kingwood Metro Park & Ride, 3210 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Houston, Texas 77339. In case of extreme inclement weather the event will be rescheduled.

The event is free and open to all City of Houston residents. Each user must provide proof of residency, including a Texas Driver's License or any other valid Texas ID and a current water/utility bill or city property tax receipt. Business waste will not be accepted.

Residents may also drop off scrap metal and large appliances, in addition to the B.O.P.A. Large appliances include stoves, refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners. Appliances with Freon must be tagged by an HVAC professional indicating the FREON HAS BEEN REMOVED.

This event provides a free and safe alternative for residents to get rid their homes of potentially dangerous materials. Below is a list of acceptable and non-acceptable items for the December 16 collection event:

ACCEPTED ITEMS: only residential waste, rechargeable household and automobile batteries, motor oil and filters, LATEX paint, antifreeze, large appliances and scrap metal. Latex paint will be limited to 15 gallons. Used motor oil will be limited to 15 gallons. All liquids are required to be in sealed, non-leaking containers that are labeled as to contents.

ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED: business, medical and agricultural waste; oil-based paints, solvents, flammables, pesticides, herbicides and other similar hazardous materials and electronic waste.

Residents may call 3-1-1, the City of Houston's Customer Service Hotline for additional information or check online at www.houstonsolidwaste.org.

If residents are interested in learning more about the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department and its services, residents may check online at www.houstonsolidwaste.org, like the department on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/houstonsolidwaste, follow SWMD on twitter @houstontrash or call 3-1-1, the City of Houston's Customer Service Hotline.