The Benton County Convenience Center Program will re-open the Rogers and Centerton sites on Friday, May 1st at 8:00 a.m. These sites will return to normal hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Entrances to Rogers and Centerton sites are being moved to accommodate longer lines of waiting vehicles as well as allow better control of the sites.
The Convenience Center sites accept certain common special waste items from Benton County households at no charge including furniture, appliances, electronics, metal items, oversized backyard items, limited amounts of specified household hazardous materials like cleaners, chemicals, etc. and up to four (4) tires per month. The Convenience Centers cannot accept any other materials.
The Convenience Center Program is operated by the Benton County Solid Waste District in partnership with the Benton County Administration. The program was temporarily suspended on March 19th amid health concerns related to COVID- 19.
The District and County agreed to re-open the program in order to provide an outlet for citizens to dispose of these waste items but will implement some changes to the program.
Citizens should expect changes in procedures as well as long lines and likely delays as District staff implement changes, including new safety precautions designed to limit contact and potential for spread of the virus. These changes include:
All occupants of vehicles entering site must wear a mask or other face covering. Anyone not wearing a face covering will not be allowed into the site. The policy will be strictly enforced.
District staff will wear a face covering and gloves while in contact with citizens.
Customers will hold photo identification outside of vehicle for staff to see.
Staff will collect all needed information and will not allow customers to touch pens, clipboards, etc.
Payments collected will be no-contact. If using cash, customers must have exact change. No change will be made by staff. If using a debit or credit card, the customer will read off the information to be immediately input into the District’s payment system. No record of the card number will be kept by the District.
Staff may need to limit the number of people inside the site at one time in order to allow for social distancing.
As always required, customers must unload their own materials. They must bring help to unload if help is needed.
Incoming materials will be placed in holding areas, as applicable, for 24 hours to reduce viral activity.
Other changes to the program include no longer accepting some materials:
Latex paint: It is not a hazardous material and citizens can easily bulk or dry it and then dispose of it in household trash. If generated by a household, the District will accept and dispose of this material for a fee.
Fertilizer: It is not hazardous and should be used by the citizen on their property. If generated by a household, the District will accept and dispose of this material for a fee.
Tar and sealers as these are not common household materials. If generated by a household, the District will accept and dispose of this material for a fee.
Information on locations, hours and accepted materials is available on the District’s website at www.bentoncountyrecycles.org.