As fall approaches, many of us start tackling seasonal clean-up projects, organizing the garage, clearing out the basement, or getting storage areas in order before the colder months arrive.
That often means rediscovering things that have been tucked away for months or even years: half-used cans of oil-based paint, old pesticides, cleaning chemicals, solvents, or leftover automotive fluids sitting on a shelf.
Over time, these everyday products can become household hazardous waste, and disposing of them improperly can create serious environmental risks. Chemicals poured down drains or thrown in the trash can pollute waterways, create hazards for sanitation workers and affect wildlife and the environment.
Fortunately, Lincoln and Lancaster County residents have convenient options for disposing of these materials safely.
Twice each year, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department hosts Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection events, bringing safe disposal services directly into local communities. These drive-through events make it easy for residents to clear potentially dangerous materials out of garages, basements and storage areas.
Residents simply gather unwanted household chemicals, place them in a leak-proof tote and bring them to one of the collection locations.
The fall events are a particularly good opportunity to tackle those clean-out projects before winter arrives and safely dispose of materials you no longer need.
2026 Fall Mobile Collection Events
Friday, September 25 | 2–6 pm
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
375 Lincoln St., Malcolm
Saturday, September 26 | 9 am–1 pm
Star City Shores
4375 S. 33rd Ct., Lincoln
Participating in these events doesn’t just help clean up your home. Proper disposal helps protect the entire community by keeping hazardous chemicals out of landfills and waterways and ensuring they are handled safely and responsibly.
Best of all, the service is provided at no cost to residents of Lincoln and Lancaster County.
For residents who cannot attend one of the fall mobile events, there is no need to wait. The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department operates HazToGo - , Lincoln’s Hazardous Waste Center, a convenient, year-round site offering the same household hazardous waste disposal services.
Programs like these play an important role in keeping our local environment healthy and safe. Sometimes protecting the environment starts with something simple: cleaning out a shelf in the garage and bringing those materials to a place where they can be handled the right way.
For additional information about accepted materials, event details or HazToGo, visit HazToGo.com.
