Although not as nostalgic as the “Oscar Meyer Wienermobile” or as sacred as the “Popemobile,” the wastemobile provides residents with a free and environmentally safe way to dispose of hazardous household waste products. And that’s something you can’t get from a hot dog or a pontiff.

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 continues its 24th year of service with a stop in Burien, March 22-24.

The Wastemobile will be in the parking lot of the Fred Meyer at 14300 1st Ave. S., 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.

There is no charge to drop off unwanted household hazardous waste, because the service is paid for through garbage and sewer utility fees.

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 16,000 tons of hazardous household waste from 450,000 customers.

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 Outlet Collection (formerly the Auburn SuperMall), 1101 SuperMall Way, near Sports Authority. It operates every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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, or by visiting the Wastemobile website at http://HazWasteHelp.org.