The city of Muskogee is hosting a waste collection day offering free disposal of household chemical pollutants and waste tires to area residents, according to a media release.

Muskogee residents showing a current city water bill receipt will be able to bring their household chemicals to the Muskogee County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 20. The event is free to Muskogee city residents and is sponsored by the City of Muskogee through its Public Works Department Stormwater Management Program.

Acceptable materials include pesticides, leftover oil-based paints, used motor oil, solvents, cleaners, acids, poisons, aerosols, fluorescent bulbs and all types of batteries. Products should be kept in their original containers if possible. Up to three computers or TV sets per household will also be accepted for recycling. Ordinary household trash or appliances are not included in this special collection.

Fluorescent bulbs will be accepted from a business, but the business must pay for disposal to the event contractor at time of collection. Eight-inch bulbs are $1 each, four-inch bulbs are 50 cents each, and tanning bulbs are $4 each. All residential is still free.

A few special types of waste are restricted from the event for safety reasons. No pressurized gas cylinders, medical wastes, ammunition or other explosives, nor containers of unknown substances can be accepted. Because of state and federal regulations, no wastes from commercial businesses or agricultural sources are allowed.

As an added service of the collection event, any Muskogee city resident may deliver passenger car, pickup and large truck tires to the site for free disposal. Each participant may bring in up to 25 tires. No tractor or large implement tires, tires on metal rims, or tires from commercial shops or tire dealers can be accepted.

Another added service to this collection event this year, the Muskogee Police Department will be accepting pharmaceuticals prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., no liquids or sharp objects.

City officials also note that unwanted paint, both oil-based and latex varieties, is always a popular item delivered for disposal. They encourage at-home disposal when possible of latex paint. Non-hazardous when dried, cans of latex paint should be solidified by air-drying and discarded in the regular trash. However, a latex paint exchange will also be available.

Information: Public Works Department Stormwater Division, (918) 684-6340.