Household hazardous waste collection comes to Des Moines, March 25-27 in the form of King County's Wastemobile.

The popular program is in its 22nd year of service. Year-round service is available in Auburn.

All King County and city residents can safely dispose of old car batteries, oil, paint thinner and many other household hazardous items at no cost when the Wastemobile makes a stop in Des Moines, March 25-27.

The Wastemobile will be in the parking lot of the Des Moines Marina, 22307 Dock St. in Des Moines, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day

Residents can drop off household hazardous waste items including pesticides, oil-based paints, automotive products (oil, antifreeze, auto batteries, etc.), fluorescent bulbs/tubes and other items free of charge.

"This service is a safe, easy and convenient way for all residents across King County to dispose of their household hazardous waste," said Jay Watson, program administrator. "There is no charge to drop off these unwanted products, because residents already pay for this service through their garbage and sewer utility bills."

Residents are helping safeguard the environment and public health by properly disposing of hazardous these materials and keeping them out of drains and landfills.

Created in 1989, the Wastemobile was the first program of its kind in the nation. It is operated by King County Solid Waste Division as part of the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program, and travels throughout the county from the spring through fall.

Since its inception, the Wastemobile has collected more than 14,000 tons of hazardous household waste from 333,000 residents.

For south King County residents, a convenient alternative to the Wastemobile is the household hazardous waste collection site in the northwest parking lot of the Auburn SuperMall, 1101 SuperMall Way (near the loading docks and Sports Authority). It operates from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday.

The service is offered on the first and third full weekends of the month. The 2011 schedule is posted on-line at http://www.lhwmp.org/home/HHW/disposal-locations.aspx#auburn and is also available by calling the Household Hazards Line (206-296-4692 or 1-888-TOXIC ED (869-4233); TTY relay: 711.

Looking for reusable household products? The Wastemobile provides free products to the public, such as oil-based paint, stain and primer, plus wood care and cleaning products. These products are subject to availability, and residents sign a release form prior to receiving the materials.

For more information about disposal, including acceptable materials and quantity limits, call the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program's Hazards Line at 206-296-4692, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., except holidays. Recorded information is available after hours. Information is also available on the Wastemobile website at http://www.lhwmp.org/home/HHW/wastemobile.aspx.