RUMFORD — River Valley residents will be able to dispose of their toxic and hazardous wastes at several collections scheduled for Wilton, Jay and Bethel.

On Saturday, Sept. 11, a collection will be held at the Wilton Transfer Station from 8 a.m. to noon; Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Jay Recycling and Transfer Facility from 9 a.m. to noon; and on Saturday, Sept. 25, Bethel will host a collection from 9 a.m. to noon at the SAD 44 Bus Barn.

The events are part of the ongoing Western Maine Environmental Depot Collection Program run by AVCOG in conjunction with the municipalities in the AVCOG region and a private, qualified contractor.

Residents of the River Valley area that missed their spring collection can bring their wastes to any of these collections. The towns include Rumford, Mexico, Andover, Byron, Canton, Dixfield, Peru, Hanover and Roxbury. There is no cost for participation by residents of any of the towns mentioned, although the organization reserves the right to limit excessive quantities.

Last year, collections have disposed of 5,000 gallons of hazardous petroleum products, paints, varnishes, lacquers, paint thinners, fertilizers, pesticides, old gasoline and pool chemicals. Of that number, 475 gallons were brought in by River Valley residents.

The collections are the safest and most environmentally sound method of disposing of household chemicals that have words such as caution, warning, poison, corrosive, toxic, volatile, combustible, flammable or danger on the label. Smoke detectors are also accepted. The collections will not accept latex paint, ammunition or explosives.

For more information, contact Patty Duguay at 364-7408.