Solid Waste
Benton County Solid Waste provides countywide waste management information, household hazardous waste services, disposal guidance, and recycling resources for residents and businesses. This article explains how the Solid Waste program operates, where residents can take certain materials, how to identify hazardous waste, what services are handled by cities versus the county, and how to use official disposal resources.
Solid Waste Program Overview
The Benton County Solid Waste program is managed by the Benton County Road Department and operates according to the Benton County Solid Waste Plan. The program also receives guidance from the Benton County Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC).
The Solid Waste program operates on a countywide basis while working alongside individual cities that manage their own garbage and recycling services. Benton County manages Household Hazardous Waste services for cities throughout the county, helping residents safely handle materials that cannot be placed in regular garbage or landfill disposal.
Funding for the program comes from county taxes and a Coordinated Prevention Grant provided by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The program focuses on helping residents reduce waste risks, protect public health, and dispose of materials using approved methods.
County and City Waste Services
Waste services depend on where a resident lives. Cities within Benton County manage their own garbage and recycling programs, while Benton County provides household hazardous waste services throughout the county.
Residents should contact their local waste collection provider when they have questions about regular garbage service, recycling pickup, or whether a specific item can be accepted through their garbage service.
City garbage and recycling programs operate separately from the county Solid Waste program. The county provides information and disposal options for materials that require special handling, including many household hazardous waste products.
Garbage Service Differences
Residents living inside cities generally receive garbage service through arrangements made by their city. County residents outside city limits contract directly with local waste collection companies or make other approved disposal arrangements.
Some waste materials cannot be disposed of through ordinary garbage collection because they may harm waste workers, damage facilities, or create environmental risks. These materials require special disposal methods.
Household Hazardous Waste
Household hazardous waste (HHW) includes household products containing chemicals or properties that can make them dangerous to people or the environment. These materials may be toxic, corrosive, ignitable, or reactive.
Examples of household hazardous waste include:
Batteries
Electronics
Liquid paint
Certain cleaners
Solvents
Antifreeze
Used motor oil
Energy-efficient lights
Some appliances
Residents can often identify hazardous products by checking labels on the original container. Warning words such as “caution,” “warning,” or “danger” may indicate that special disposal instructions are needed.
Improper disposal of household hazardous waste can contaminate soil and groundwater, pollute waterways through stormwater runoff, and create risks for waste handlers and landfill workers. Washington law prohibits placing hazardous waste in garbage, landfills, or private or public property.
Moderate Risk Waste Facility
The Benton County Moderate Risk Waste Facility (MRWF) provides areas for unloading, collecting, processing, and storing Moderate Risk Waste and Household Hazardous Waste.
The facility is located at 1709 S Ely Street in Kennewick. Public customer disposal hours are Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The facility is also open on the third Saturday of each month from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Public drop-off service may be temporarily suspended during normal operations when staff are preparing and loading materials for transportation. Facility operating days and hours may be revised by the Public Works Manager when needed.
The facility uses signs and traffic controls to help customers unload materials safely, including pavement directional arrows, stop signs, and materials accepted signs near unloading areas.
Accepted Facility Materials
The MRWF accepts certain household hazardous waste materials, including:
Paints, varnishes, and stains
Pesticides and herbicides
Cleaners and solvents
Mercury
Automotive products such as used oil, antifreeze, and brake fluid
Oxidizers
Acids
Items Not Accepted
Some materials are not accepted at the Benton County Moderate Risk Waste Facility. These include:
Appliances
Ammunition, fireworks, and explosive devices
Alkaline, lithium-ion, or lithium metal batteries, including e-cigarettes and vape pens
Asbestos
Agricultural and commercial-grade chemicals
Needles and syringes
Radioactive materials
Medicines
Compressed cylinders
Materials that are too dangerous for county collection services may require specialized handling by licensed and trained companies.
Waste Disposal Options
Benton County provides disposal information for many common household materials through its Types of Waste and How to Dispose of Them resources. Residents can review disposal options for different materials, including recycling, composting, reuse, and other approved methods.
Electronics Recycling
Washington’s E-Cycle program accepts certain electronics, including televisions, computer towers, laptops, monitors, e-readers, and portable DVD players. Some items, such as printers, mice, and keyboards, may not be accepted through the program.
Electronics require special handling because they may contain valuable materials as well as components that can create environmental concerns when placed in landfills.
Paint Disposal
Unwanted paint may require different disposal methods depending on the type of paint. PaintCare drop-off locations accept certain products, including house paint, primers, stains, deck and concrete sealers, and clear finishes such as varnishes and shellac.
Latex, acrylic, and water-based paints may be dried and disposed of through regular waste service when prepared according to county guidance. Oil-based paints, stains, and lead-containing paint products require appropriate hazardous waste disposal methods.
Automotive Waste
Automotive maintenance can create waste materials that should not be placed in ordinary garbage. Used oil, antifreeze, batteries, and other automotive products may require recycling or special disposal.
Residents should avoid mixing used motor oil with water, antifreeze, or other chemicals because contamination can affect recycling programs.
Recycling Locations and Maps
Benton County provides recycling location information through its waste disposal resources. The county’s interactive mapping tools help residents locate drop-off locations and determine disposal options for specific materials.
Residents can use material filters to identify accepted items and find directions to available locations.
Small Business Waste
Businesses that generate dangerous waste may qualify as small quantity generators (SQGs) depending on the amount and type of waste produced.
Benton County provides information for businesses that generate dangerous waste, including classifications based on monthly waste generation and storage amounts.
ECY small quantity generator or EPA conditionally exempt small quantity generator: less than 220 pounds of dangerous waste generated per month.
ECY medium quantity generator or EPA small quantity generator: between 220 and 2,200 pounds of dangerous waste generated per month.
ECY large quantity generator or EPA large quantity generator: more than 2,200 pounds of dangerous waste generated per month.
Small quantity generators may qualify to participate in Benton County solid waste collection events when those programs are available and funded.
Solid Waste Resources
Residents can review official county information for waste acceptance rules, facility details, disposal options, and frequently asked questions through the Benton County Solid Waste and Recycling pages.
The Solid Waste frequently asked questions page provides additional information about household hazardous waste, recycling, collection services, and disposal practices.
The county also provides a Moderate Risk Waste Facility information page with facility details, accepted materials, and operating information.
Solid Waste Office List
Benton County Public Works Department - Solid Waste Program
102206 E Wiser Pkwy
Kennewick, WA 99338
(509) 786-5611
Solid Waste FAQs
Where can I take household hazardous waste in Benton County?
Residents can use Benton County’s Moderate Risk Waste Facility (MRWF) for approved household hazardous waste materials. The facility accepts items such as paints, varnishes, stains, pesticides, herbicides, cleaners, solvents, mercury, used oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, oxidizers, and acids. The facility is located at 1709 S Ely Street in Kennewick and provides public disposal hours Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with additional hours on the third Saturday of each month from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Check the official Moderate Risk Waste Facility information before visiting because drop-off operations may change.
How do I know if an item needs special disposal?
Check the product label or original container for warnings such as “caution,” “warning,” or “danger.” Common household hazardous waste items may include batteries, electronics, liquid paint, certain cleaners, solvents, antifreeze, used motor oil, and energy-efficient lights. Materials that cannot be accepted through county programs, including asbestos, radioactive materials, ammunition, explosives, and some commercial chemicals, require specialized handling.
Does Benton County handle regular garbage service?
Regular garbage and recycling services depend on where you live. Cities manage their own garbage and recycling programs, while Benton County manages household hazardous waste services throughout the county. Residents should check their local service arrangements for regular collection questions. The county provides additional guidance through its waste disposal information pages for different materials and disposal options.
How can businesses dispose of dangerous waste?
Businesses that generate dangerous waste may qualify as small quantity generators depending on the amount produced and stored. Benton County provides information for businesses that generate dangerous waste, including generator categories and possible participation in county collection programs when funding is available. Businesses should review the county’s small quantity generator guidance to understand applicable requirements.