Williamson County Recycle

History

WCRC is the only privately owned facility in Texas.

In 2001, our parent company, PA-jer Company started receiving phone calls from households looking for disposal options. We decided to track phone calls and see if the interest was great enough to open up a facility and if people would be willing to pay for the disposal of chemicals. In 2003, after tracking phone calls, we decided to speak with TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) about the possibility of opening the first, privately owned, Household Hazardous facility in the State of Texas. Staff at TCEQ were excited that a private business would be interested in trying such a venture, and we were given a contact in the small business section to assist with the process.

We were cautious in the planning stages and understood that being the first meant one of two things to us, we would either be the pattern for the future or we would be an example of what not to do. We wanted to be the pattern for the future, so in early 2006 we began the process of discussing, designing, and constructing our facility. Utilizing the unique background of each of our company owners we built a building that ensured the safety of our employees, customers, and the environment. Our building is elevated above the center of the road, so we would never have an issue with flooding. It also includes a sunken floor, transfer areas with a steel grates embedded and grounded for the transfer of flammables from one container to another,etc. We also spoke with the commissioners to avoid a conflict long term between county operations and ourselves. At the time the County held one day collections anywhere from once every 2 years to once a year with no set pattern. The county did not have an interest in being in the household hazardous chemical business.

Since that time we have assisted customers from as far away as Bruceville-Eddy, Smithville, Van Zandt County, and Kingsland. We have been very pleased with the way citizens from all over have received our facility, and thank each and every one of you.

Why Recycle

Why Recycle? A household can be far more dangerous than most businesses.  Why is this? Because households put most of their chemicals in one area, whether that is under the kitchen sink, hallway closet, or in the garage.  These chemicals accumulate over many years and may have containers that are degrading and not safe.  When one container fails another may soon follow causing a mixture that could result in a fire and/or an unsafe atmosphere.

Over the years we have had customers who have purchased homes which had leaking acid containers in the attic, charcoal liquid containers which melted due to Texas heat, old fertilizers, in deteriorating bags, stored over flammables, and many other scenarios.  It is best to only keep the chemicals you use on a frequent basis, instead of a collage of chemicals you no longer use.We see many chemicals that are no longer sold such as DDT, Chlordane, Malathion, Diazinon, and certain pool chemicals.  These chemicals have been removed from the market due to the ability to cause damage to the environment and also the potential hazards they contain.  When was the last time you looked at the chemicals in your House?

Accepted Chemicals

Accepted chemicals at Williamson County Recycle Center is very diverse. We try to be a full service location for household chemicals. Many households have chemicals and do not even know the dangers they may contain. Some chemicals are now referred to as organic, non toxic, biodegradable, new and improved, environmentally friendly, and so forth. These terms do not mean that a chemical is safe or does not present dangers.

Some of Accepted Chemicals:

• Aerosols
• Oil Based Paint
• Latex Paint
• Acrylic Paint
• Paint Thinners
• Acetone
• Solvents
• Flammable Liquids
• Gasoline
• Roofing Cement
• Flammable Solids
• Fireplace Logs
• Pool Chemicals
• Oxidizers
• Chlorinating Tablets
• Pesticides
• Herbicides
• Bug Killer
• Total Yard Kill
• Rat/Mice Kill
• Wasp/Hornet Spray
• Ant Killer

Not Accepted Chemicals:

• Explosives
• Ammunition
• Flares
  Pharmaceuticals
• Prescriptions
• Drugs
• Gas Cylinders
• Oxygen
• Acetylene
• Biowaste
• Sharps
• Blood
• Radioactive
• Smoke Detectors

Chemicals generated from a business are not accepted at Williamson County Recycle Center. If you have any questions concerning accepted chemicals please Contact Us. Williamson County Recycle Center appreciates the continued business and trust in handling your household chemicals. We look forward to solving any chemical issues you may have.