EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Environmental Management workers will collect household hazardous waste, electronics waste and universal waste Sept. 22 as Edwards celebrates Pollution Prevention Week 

Environmental Management is encouraging all Edwards residents and workers to take the next step in preventing pollution by making a conscious, concerted effort to reduce, reuse and recycle everything they can. 

"By reusing and recycling materials and reducing the sources of waste, Edwards saves precious landfill space and reduces hazardous waste costs to shops," said Layi Oyelowo, pollution prevention manager. 

Environmental Management will host two events during the Pollution Prevention Week.
On Sept. 22, Environmental Management is holding an Electronics and Universal Waste Roundup. Base residents can drop off electronics waste, universal waste and household hazardous waste for free, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in front of Outdoor Recreation. 

Staff will collect non-working electronic devices such as televisions, appliances, computers, telephones and cell phones. 

Universal waste includes dead batteries, fluorescent tubes and mercury-containing items such as thermostats and aerosol cans. 

On-base residents can also drop off household hazardous waste including yard chemicals, cleaning supplies, paint and automotive products. Residents should not mix wastes and keep the waste in its original container if possible. None of these items should ever be put into the trash. 

Working electronic devices and appliances should be donated to the Airman's Attic, which can be reached by calling 277-2246.

The base cannot accept waste from off-base residents. For more information on hazardous waste disposal, Los Angeles County residents can call (888) 253-2652, and Kern County residents can call (800) 552-KERN, option 6. 

Environmental Management is also hosting a day-long Federal Electronics Challenge workshop to help educate base environmental managers and pollution prevention staff from Edwards and other nearby military bases about managing electronics waste. 

"Speakers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will present valuable information on the Federal Electronics Challenge program," Ms. Oyelowo said. 

According to Ms. Oyelowo, the Federal Electronics Challenge is a program that encourages federal facilities and agencies to buy greener electronic products, reduce impacts of electronic products during use and manage obsolete electronics in an environmentally safe way. 

For more information on preventing pollution and how to dispose of hazardous, electronic and universal wastes, contact Environmental Management at 277-1401.