KINGFIELD — Annual collections for household hazardous waste will occur in several Franklin County towns over the next two weeks.

The Kingfield collection is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5.

Three collections are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6: Carrabassett Valley from 9 a.m. to noon; Rangeley from 9 to 11:30 a.m.; and Wilton from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Jay will hold a collection from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13.

Wastes include oil-based paints, varnishes, paint thinner, solvents, pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, unusable fertilizers and toxic household cleaners. More information is available from Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments at 783-9186 or local town offices.

Latex paint, which is cleaned up with water, is not collected.

Residents of Carrabassett Valley, Jay, Kingfield, Rangeley and Wilton and surrounding towns participating in the collection organized by the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments can dispose of their hazardous wastes in an environmentally sound manner at no cost.

Other residents can go to www.avcog.org/DocumentCenter/View/1357 to determine if their town is participating. Collections are open to residents from nonparticipating towns at a cost of $30 for each five gallons of waste.

This is an opportunity for homeowners to remove toxic and flammable substances from their homes, garages and basements, which pose a potential fire and/or explosive hazard. Many of these chemicals can also accelerate a fire and pose a threat to firefighters and groundwater.