Now is the time for Calhoun County residents to begin clearing hazardous waste and scrap tires from the family homestead. It’s an age-old problem that has plagued humanity since environmental awareness struck the community. In times past, our forefathers simply chucked that half-empty paint can into the trash bin and it was mission accomplished. But times have changed, with the awareness that many of the household items that have lost their usefulness cannot be simply tossed into the dumpster and carted off to the landfill. Many items contain toxic substances that leach into the water table and eventually out of that annoying dripping faucet in the kitchen.  

And then there is the problem with that old tire that has been resting outside, behind the garage, collecting water and becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes. You can’t just toss that thing anywhere, and the local auto shop will probably charge you a few bucks to take it out of your hands. Calhoun County feels your pain, and to combat the nasty infiltration of unwanted chemicals and mosquito-borne viruses, they are conducting two waste collection events to address these problems.  

A hazardous waste collection will take place at Bailey Park, in Battle Creek, on October 10 th, where household hazardous waste, such as oil-based paint, solvents, acids, pesticides, and batteries will be collected. And just weeks later, a scrap tire collection will be held on October 24 th in Tekonsha.  

The list of accepted and unaccepted waste is quite lengthy and can be viewed below. Times and locations of the events are included:    

Monday, October 10, 2022 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM. Bailey Park 1350 Capital Ave. NE, Battle Creek  Participants will use Wagner Dr. to enter the event. The collection will take place in the parking lot south of CO Brown Stadium. Vehicles will exit the park onto Capital Ave. NE.   

Monday, October 24, 2022 12 Noon - 5 PM Tekonsha Village Offices  537 N. Church St., Tekonsha  Participants will use the driveway closest to the Village Offices to enter the event. Tires will be unloaded at the rear of the semi-trailer. Vehicles will exit using the driveway closest to the semi-trailer.