News Release
For Immediate Release

TCOG to offer household hazardous waste collection event in Bonham

SHERMAN, AUGUST 24, 2022 – Officials at Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) have announced an appointment-only Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection event for Saturday, October 1, 2022 that will take place at the Fannin County Multipurpose Complex in Bonham. Collection will begin at 9:00 am and end at 1:00 pm.

“Despite the lack of a permanent, year-round accessible HHW collection facility, TCOG – as the recipient of grant funds from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and SEP penalty monies from a TCEQ enforcement action – is proud to be able to offer periodic collection events at various locations across the Texoma Region,” said Eric Bridges, TCOG’s Executive Director. “These events have played a key role in ensuring leftover or used household products are properly disposed of.”

“We are very appreciative of TCEQ and SEP funds; they allow us to provide a much-needed service to the region,” stated Molly Guard, GIS & Planning Program Manager.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), describes HHW as leftover household products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic. Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides can contain ingredients that are hazardous and require special care when you dispose of them. Improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and threaten human health.

The HHW collection event has been a well-attended, high-demand event, serving as a means of protecting our region from the adverse effects of hazardous waste dumping, saving cities and counties the high cost of HHW disposal fees and reducing the cost of crews coming to pick up and dispose of the waste.

The last Fannin County collection event was held in June of 2021, where over 94 households participated. “We collected well over 6,000 pounds of paint and 1,400 pounds of electronics,” explained Guard. “We hope to do at least as well this year.”

Acceptable items collected at the event include household quantities of hazardous waste (household chemicals, batteries, pesticides, insecticides, etc.) and electronic items (computers, phones, printers, kitchen appliances, etc.) A complete list of acceptable and restricted items is available on TCOG’s website and can also be found on the HHW registration form.

Any Texoma resident can participate in the event at no cost, though the event is by appointment only. We ask that all participants pre-register and arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your appointment to reduce wait times. To schedule an appointment, visit TCOG’s website at www.tcog.com.

For questions or additional information on household hazardous waste, contact Molly Guard at (903) 893-2161 ext. 3527.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson counties. Established in 1968, Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Both directly and through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.