NIOBRARA COUNTY - Niobrara County citizens had the opportunity to dispose of hazardous waste during the Niobrara County Conservation District’s hazardous waste day on September 20.

Throughout the day, volunteers disposed of old paint, pesticides and even old appliances such as TV’s, microwaves, and old electronics in general.

During the day, Conservation Board members volunteered their time to help with the disposal of materials. According to Lisa Shaw, the manager of Niobrara County Conservation District, over 100 gallons of paint, 110 gallons of flammable liquids, 130 gallons of used oil, several cubic yard boxes of hazardous solids, 55 gallons of pesticides, a trailer of waste and a pallet of batteries were collected.

“It’s good to see less waste this time. With so many old houses changing hands this year, we saw a lot of old items from coast to coast and even one from ZumBrunnen hardware store. That is a piece of history I didn’t know about,” Shaw commented. “Regardless, I am happy the Conservation District has been able to provide this service to the community and help to protect the environment.”

The disposal of hazardous waste began in 1998. Shaw told the Herald that it started with a grant from the Department of Agriculture. Unfortunately, the grant funds dried up and now it has become the expense of taxpayers for the disposal of hazardous waste. Money for the disposal is derived from the mill levy tax.

Not only did board members volunteer for the day. Niobrara County Road and Bridge employees and the Town of Lusk helped out, too.

“The garbage truck is invaluable,” Shaw said of the Town of Lusk garbage truck.

The hazardous waste disposal is now held every other year.

“We’re on even years,” Shaw said. “The load of waste will go to Colorado and then be distributed all over the country to be processed.”