The Mariposa County Public Works Department, in cooperation with Tuolumne County, is sponsoring a free Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection this Sunday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds. The event is open to Mariposa and Tuolumne County residents only. No business or commercial waste will be accepted.

Materials that can be brought to the collection include pesticides, pool chemicals, anti-freeze, household cleaners, barbeque tanks, paints, solvents, contaminated oil, glues, waxes, engine and brake part cleaners and other household chemicals.

Containers larger than five gallons, asbestos, tires, medical waste, ammunition or explosives will not be accepted. Items should be kept in their original containers and packed so they will not spill.

After removing toxic items from the home, it is a good time to consider restocking with non-toxic alternatives. Baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice and borax are some of the inexpensive, easy-to-find products that can serve a multitude of cleaning and deodorizing uses around the home. For example, one-half cup of white vinegar added to the laundry rinse cycle softens and deodorizes fabrics. Vinegar can also be mixed with water in a spray bottle and used as a substitute for commercial glass cleaners, which often contain ammonia.

Laminated bookmarks with non-toxic cleaning recipes will be given away at the HHW collection on Sunday. The recipes are also available on the public works department’s Web site at www.mariposcacounty. org/solidwaste and at the landfill, compost facility and recycling center located at 5593 Highway 49 North in Mariposa.

For more information about the HHW collection, visit the MCPWD Web site or call 966-5165. This event is made possible through a grant from the California Integrated Waste Management Board.