A cannister sat in the garage. We added to its contents gingerly, wondering if black widows saw nesting possibilities among discarded household batteries.

We didn't know quite to expect last weekend when we hauled the batteries, expended fluorescent lights and dried acrylic paint tubes to Fresno County's semi-annual residential waste drop-off.

I knew "a process" was in hand. We'd answered a newspaper ad, been given an "appointment," received a blue-form to complete of what to/not to bring and even got a follow-up confirmation call.

We joined a line of vehicles in a desolate area off Clovis Avenue near Airways Golf Course. Fifty, maybe 75 workers -- some in decontamination suits -- kept things moving, replete with smiles, thanks-for-coming and other encouragement.

There was no charge for this environmental stewardship, though other events come with some fees.  Considering how many times over the years we've (all) innocently poured a little lawn-mower oil in gardens or flushed unwanted medication down the toilet, this recycling hand-off was rewarding and educational.

For example, they now have a procedure for accepting "sharps" -- intravenous needles and other penetrating devices (thanks to SB 1305, signed into law in 2006). I smiled to see, probably thanks to some zealous legal beagle, they list electronic waste items such as "cathode ray tubes." Did they forget "ink eradicator containers" or "rubber cement jars"?

I recalled attending the first Earth Day event in April 1970 in New York City, when numbers of earth-caring participants were fewer but where the mood was one of mellow hope. This time, thanks to a bit of planning and a number of pleasant staff, that good feeling was back, dude.

(For more information on Fresno County's household hazardous waste program, go to www.co.fresno.ca.us or phone 559-262-4259.)