Did you know that household hazardous waste (HHW) does not belong in any residential curbside collection carts?
Meet Hazel Haz-Waste and learn how to safely get rid of your household hazardous waste.
When products you use at home have a caution or warning label, they likely contain harmful chemicals on their own or when mixed. Often, these items contain ingredients that can contaminate the environment and threaten our health. They may also catch fire, or even explode, if placed in the curbside Garbage, Organics, or Recycling carts. Here are some examples of HHW items:
- Automotive fluids – oil, antifreeze, brake/transmission fluid
- Aerosol cans with any amount of product
- Batteries (all)
- Cleaners
- Fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL)
- Paint
- Pesticides/herbicides
Hazel Haz-Waste encourages residents to go through their cabinets, sheds, and garages to gather up old paint, automotive fluids, pool chemicals, cleaners, pesticides/herbicides, aerosol cans, batteries, mercury thermometers, fluorescent tubes, CFL light bulbs, and even unused medications for proper disposal at a local HHW drop-off facilities – and, it’s free! Please check with the facility before you go to make sure it accepts your items.
HHW Items Accepted at North Area Recovery Station (NARS) HHW Facility
Residents can drop off up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds of the following HHW items per month at the North Area Recovery Station HHW Facility for free. Check the HHW Items that are Accepted at North Area Recovery Station (NARS) HHW Facility.
The NARS HHW Drop-off Facility also has a Product Reuse Program. Any available products for reuse are placed out at the beginning of the hour from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., during days of operation (check the HHW website for current hours). It is first come, first served and the facility cannot guarantee products will be available.
Items Accepted at Kiefer Landfill Special Waste Facility
The Kiefer Landfill Special Waste facility also accepts free drop-off of up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per month from residents. Check the items Accepted at Kiefer Landfill Special Waste Facility.
For free drop-off and proper disposal, NARS and Kiefer Landfill also accepts electronic waste (e-waste), which contains toxic metal materials content. E-waste includes TVs, CRTs (cathode ray tubes) computers/monitors, printers, copiers, faxes, tablets and cell phones from residents.
For safety, follow these procedures for packaging and transporting items to a HHW Drop-off Facility:
- Be sure to read and follow the product labels when handling household hazardous waste products.
- Keep products in their original containers, if possible. Label materials that are not in their original containers.
- NOTE: Do not put motor oil in any container that was used for bleach, acid, or flammable liquid.
- Do not mix products or allow products to accidentally mix.
- Place leaking containers in a larger, plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.
- Put all products upright in a cardboard box so they do not tip over in transport.
- Make sure all lids are tightly sealed to prevent any spills.
- Transport products in the back of a pickup truck or in a car trunk. Ensure adequate ventilation if transported inside a passenger vehicle.
- Keep flammables out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat, spark, flame, or ignition. Do not smoke near products.
- Remain in your vehicle upon arrival at the facility, prepare to show your driver’s license, and allow staff to off-load your household hazardous waste.
Hazel Haz-Waste also wants you to know that there are HHW Alternatives
Consider alternative methods or purchasing products without hazardous ingredients for common household needs. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency HHW webpage has alternatives for drain cleaner, glass cleaners, furniture polish, rug deodorizer, silver polish and mothballs, along with the EPA Safer Choice program – check it out!
Go to RecycleReboot.com to meet Hazel Haz-Waste, learn more, and participate in fun activities!