More than 900 Burnet and Llano County households participated in a free household hazardous waste event that organizers consider a success.

An estimated 72,000 pounds of chemicals and 93,000 pounds of recyclables were discarded at the collection in Llano County on April 26.

Residents brought in 2,441 scrap tires, 379 lead-acid batteries, 93 rechargeable batteries and 1,000 gallons of used oil for recycling. Participants also dropped off 10,264 pounds of flammable liquids, 4,244 gallons of flammable oil-based paint and paint-related waste, 1,917 pounds of compressed gases, 80 pounds of oxidizers, 753 pounds of corrosives and 2,769 pounds of other household hazardous waste that will be recycled or properly disposed. Left-over latex paint was remixed for reuse and totaled 330 gallons.

Additionally, an estimated 15,800 pounds of electronics were collected by Goodwill Industries for reuse or recycling. At a product exchange center, about 567 pounds of usable home chemical products were claimed.

The Burnet and Llano county household hazardous waste collection is sponsored by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) and Burnet County in cooperation with Llano County, Capital Area Planning Council of Governments, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Colorado River Foundation Adopt-A-Barrel program.

Other co-sponsors and contributors include the cities of Burnet, Llano, Horseshoe Bay and Highland Haven. Also involved were Kingsland Municipal Utility District, Allied Waste Systems, Advance Battery, H&H Waste Oil and Llano Recycling Opportunities.

More than 512 vehicles passed through the collection site, dropping off materials for recycling or disposal. At one point, the line of waiting vehicles extended 2.5 miles down Highway 29 toward Llano, and some people waited longer than two hours for their turn.

“We are extremely pleased with the public’s response and the community support for the collection,” said Jack Ranney, LCRA household hazardous waste program coordinator. “The turnout was so great, some people who hoped to dispose of their materials were unable to do so.

“We apologize for any inconvenience. The overwhelming response indicates that more frequent and accessible options for household hazardous waste disposal are needed to serve Burnet and Llano counties. On behalf of Burnet County and the other co-sponsors, LCRA extends a special thanks to the 65 volunteers and others who contributed to help make this event a big success for these counties.”

LCRA works with communities and county governments within its statutory area to promote proper household hazardous waste management. The program helps protect water quality by encouraging the reduction, recycling and reuse of chemicals and hazardous wastes in the home.

Although there was no charge to participants, the average cost of properly disposing of a 55-gallon barrel of waste is more than $250.

Contributions can be made to the Adopt-A-Barrel program, a community fund-raising campaign sponsored by the Colorado River Foundation. It allows businesses, individuals and organizations to make tax-deductible donations to help recover the costs of collecting and properly disposing of hazardous wastes.

For more information about Adopt-A-Barrel, call the Colorado River Foundation at (512) 458-8844 or Jack Ranney at LCRA, 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 7651.