SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. -- Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon has asked the County Council for quick approval of free disposal of water-damaged goods for individuals needing flood clean-up aid.

Under Reardon’s proposal, fees would be waived for flood-damaged residential waste at county transfer stations in Arlington, Everett and Mountlake Terrace and at county drop boxes in Granite Falls, Snohomish, Sultan, Oso and Gold Bar.

Reardon has asked the County Council to approve the plan Monday, Nov. 17, allowing the program to begin Tuesday, Nov. 18. Free collection would end Monday, Feb. 16, 2009.

If approved, residents will need to obtain a voucher first before taking materials to the transfer station or drop box. A separate voucher would be needed for each load. Drop boxes have a 5-cubic-yard limit per load. Commercial and business waste will continue to be charged regular disposal fees.

Items accepted for disposal would include: household furnishings, furniture, spoiled food, carpeting, water-soaked plasterboard and appliances (except refrigerators and freezers). Paint and small quantities of household hazardous waste also would be accepted with vouchers at all solid waste facilities.

Generally, paint and household hazardous waste is only accepted at the county’s Household Hazardous Waste facility in Everett. Hazardous waste must be kept separate from other garbage. Metal should be separated for recycling.

Customers who suffered substantial flood damage may want to call a garbage hauler for rates on large drop-off containers. The cost of these containers and their transport is not covered by the voucher.

Free disposal does not include demolition debris, yard debris, wood waste, concrete, rock, soil and animal carcasses larger than 10 pounds.

For information on solid waste facility locations and hours of operation, call the Solid Waste Division at 425-388-3425 or visit www.snoco.org.