UMATILLA COUNTY — There’s plenty of time to clean the garage and storage shed for the household hazardous waste collection event.

The city of Hermiston, Umatilla County, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Sanitary Disposal are lending a hand to assist residents in disposing of hazardous wastes. Acceptable items include chemicals, cleaners, paint, thermometers, fluorescent lights, thermostats, automotive fluids, batteries and more.

The free collection event is May 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Umatilla County Fair office at 1740 E. Airport Road, across from the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, Hermiston. Products for disposal should be kept in securely sealed original containers. Refrain from placing items in plastic garbage bags — use boxes or sturdy containers.

Do not bring radioactive waste, asbestos, ammunition, explosives, sharps, pharmaceuticals or electronic waste to the disposal event.

A full list of acceptable items is available via Facebook at bit.ly/4jxqPbe. For questions, contact Laurie Gordon at laurie.gordon@deq.oregon.gov or 541-633-2029.