Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and Department of Water Resources Now Seeking Volunteers for Bi-Annual Community Event at Gwinnett County Fairgrounds

Lawrenceville, Ga. – July 8, 2025 – Two Gwinnett County government departments are teaming up to help neighbors rid their homes of household hazardous waste. Co-hosted by Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and the Department of Water Resources from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 26, the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will take place at Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. Held twice a year – in the Winter and again in the Summer – since its launch in 2018, the event has collected 1,161,430 pounds of household hazardous waste for proper disposal. In addition to getting the word out to Gwinnett County residents who may want to bring items to the event, its organizers are also seeking volunteers in order to help keep traffic moving smoothly. Duties will include directing traffic, removing materials from vehicles, breaking down boxes, and more.

“Household hazardous waste is products that are corrosive, toxic, or can ignite, react, or explode under certain conditions,” said Schelly Marlatt, Executive Director of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. “One of those conditions is extreme heat – much like the high temperatures we’ve been experiencing in Georgia the last few weeks. Special care should be given to the disposal of these materials, which is why we created this event with our friends at the Department of Water Resources. Many people may be tempted to pour certain materials down their drain or down storm drains, but that can negatively impact our local water sources and the environment at large. The demand for this event was so great that we added a second event each year, and – most recently – have added a fourth hour to accommodate expected crowds. We saw more than 1,000 vehicles drive through our event in February, and – with the kids out of school – we’re expecting even more attendees at the July 26 event.”

Marlatt conveyed that to help manage those expected crowds, the event team will require the assistance of as many volunteers as possible. She also requested the patience of attendees, assuring them that her staff, her partners at the Department of Water Resources, and all volunteers will do their best to process vehicles quickly so everyone can get through the line and back to their Saturday, minus a carload of household hazardous waste. When asked why there can be a wait at these events, she responded, “Proper handling of household hazardous waste is a detailed and carefully managed process to ensure safety and environmental responsibility. Each item brought to the event is first identified by an on-site chemist, then sorted, packaged, and labeled by trained and certified staff based on its chemical composition, quantity, and packaging requirements. Materials are then manifested for transport in accordance with strict state and federal regulations, ensuring they are properly recycled, reused, or disposed of at approved facilities. It’s a controlled, professional operation designed to protect our community and the environment. We thank our attendees for doing their part and for understanding as we work as safely and efficiently as possible.”

In preparation for the event, she encouraged prospective attendees to start cleaning out their cabinets, closets, attics, basements, workrooms, and garages in search of the following items they no longer need in preparation of the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day:

• Aerosol/spray pesticides
• Automotive products (engine degreaser, brake fluid, transmission fluid, antifreeze, etc.)
• Cleaners, corrosives, spot removers, acids and bases
• Aerosol/spray paint
• Auto batteries
• Batteries (household and rechargeable)
• Chlorinated solvents
• Cooking oil and grease
• Fire extinguishers
• Flammables (lighter fluid and waste fuels like kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel, etc.)
• Fluorescent bulbs and ballasts
• Hand sanitizer
• Insecticides
• Latex and water-based paints
• Lawn care products
• Mercury
• Mercury salts and elemental mercury thermometers
• Oil-based paint and stains
• Oxidizers
• Pesticides
• Poisons
• Propane cylinders
• Solvents and varnishes
• Thermostats and other mercury-containing items
• Thinners and paint strippers
• Weed killer
• Wood preservatives

Items that will NOT be accepted include ammunition, radioactive waste, pharmaceuticals, biomedical/biohazard waste, and fireworks. This event will also NOT include the collection of electronics, tires, or paper for shredding.

Gwinnett County Fairgrounds is located at 2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy in Lawrenceville. Those interested in registering as a volunteer for the July 26 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day can visit https://bit.ly/463JY0X.  Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day attendees are asked to enter the main entrance of the Fairgrounds, which is located off Sugarloaf Parkway at the traffic light. Gwinnett residents can bring up to five containers of household hazardous waste for FREE. Containers should be no larger than a standard laundry basket or file box. Containers will not be returned. 

Questions about the July 26 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day may be directed to gwinnettcb@gwinnettcb.org or 770-822-5187. 

About Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful:  Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Services, Inc. (GC&B) is a Keep America Beautiful affiliate and award-winning 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It boasts an expansive community-based network dedicated to finding long-term solutions to environmental and quality-of-life issues through individual action. The organization is guided by a Citizens Advisory Board that represents all sectors of the Gwinnett County community. A nationally recognized leader in creating cleaner, greener, and more livable communities throughout Gwinnett, GC&B involves more than 100,000 volunteers annually to clean and restore public places, recycle more, protect watersheds, and develop the next generation of environmental stewards. To learn more about Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and its mission of “Connecting People and Resources for a Sustainable Gwinnett,” please visit www.GwinnettCB.org. The organization invites you to connect with Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful on Facebook (@gwinnettcb), Instagram (@greengwinnett), LinkedIn (@gwinnett-clean-beautiful), and X (@gogreengwinnett).