Watauga County residents can safely dispose of unused medications and household hazardous waste through two events Saturday, Oct. 27.

Operation Medicine Cabinet allows residents to turn in any unwanted medications anonymously with no questions asked. The goal is to prevent those medicines from falling into the wrong hands or from entering the waterways by being flushed down the toilet.

The medicines will be collected from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at five locations: Food Lion stores in Boone, Blowing Rock and Deep Gap; Foscoe Fire Department and Beaver Dam Fire Department.

A separate location will be set up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at the Plemmons Student Union on the ASU campus.

The house-cleaning continues from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 27 with Household Hazardous Waste Day, coordinated by the Watauga County Sanitation Department.

During those hours, residents can dispose of substances such as paint, antifreeze, ethylene, gasoline, lighter fluid, solid and liquid pesticides, oxidizers and cleaners.

Used oil, lead acid batteries and tube fluorescent bulbs are accepted at the sanitation department during regular business hours, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Household batteries and CFLs are accepted at all convenience centers. These items also will be accepted during the Household Hazardous Waste event.

All items must be taken to the Watauga County landfill at 336 Landfill Road, located off U.S. 421.

The sanitation department offers these tips for residents participating in the Household Hazardous Waste Day:

— Stay in your vehicle during the collection. This is for your safety and is required by the landfill’s disposal contractor’s permit.

— Bring waste in its original container whenever possible. Make sure containers are closed tightly.

— Collect the items in disposable boxes or bins and transport in the trunk. Do not put hazardous waste in the backseat with children or pets.

— Avoid smoking during the event. Most household hazardous waste materials are flammable.

Contact the Watauga County Sanitation Department at (828) 264-5305 for more information.