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How-To: Manage your non-hazardous household waste

By managing non-hazardous waste at home, residents can help make sure their community is available to provide low-cost hazardous waste disposal for the long term.

 

How do I know if something is hazardous?

Household products with the words danger, warning, toxic, corrosive, flammable, or caution should not be poured down your drain, thrown in your trash, or let to drip down your driveway.  Take these items to the Calhoun County Satellite Facility south of Rockwell City, IA.

 Here are some other key phrases that can indicate if something is hazardous:

·        “Harmful or fatal if swallowed”

·        “Do not use near heat or flame”

·        “Causes severe burns on contact”

 

The most common hazardous materials found in the household

·        In the shop or in storage: herbicides, fertilizers, insecticides, insect repellent, rodent killer, garden sprays

·        In the garage: aerosols, cleaning agents, asphalt/roofing tar, glues/adhesives, paint, varnish, paint thinner, strippers, solvents, flammable oils, gasoline, kerosene, antifreeze, motor oil, household batteries, lead acid batteries, photography chemicals, , pool chemicals, other chemicals

·        In the closet: general cleaning agents, fluorescent light bulbs, carpet cleaner, furniture cleaner, pet supplies

·        In the bathroom: drain cleaners, rust and stain removers, toilet bowl cleaners, grout sealer

For more information on storing, disposing or managing chemicals, call Metro Waste Authority’s Regional Collection Center for Household Hazardous Waste at (515) 967-5512 or visit www.mwatoday.com or the Calhoun County Dept. of Health at 712-297-8323.

The satellite facility in Rockwell City is open the first Saturday of the month from 8-12, the second Monday from 3-6 pm, the third Tuesday from 7:30-12:30, and the third Thursday from 12-4 pm.

Regional Collection Center for Household Hazardous Waste

225 Prairie Drive SW

Bondurant , IA 50035

Tuesday – Friday

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Saturday

Open the first and third Saturday of each month 8:00 a.m. to noon

How-To: Manage your non-hazardous household waste

By managing non-hazardous waste at home, residents can help make sure their community is available to provide low-cost hazardous waste disposal for the long term.

 

Household batteries that are hazardous

The following household batteries are hazardous and should be taken to the satellite facility:

·        Mercuric-Oxide (button batteries)—Non-rechargeable batteries used in hearing aids.

·        Nickel Cadmium (NiCd)—Rechargeable batteries used in kitchen appliances, power tools and other household products.

·        Lithium or Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH)—Used in digital cameras, etc.

 

Batteries you can throw in the trash

Many common batteries can be thrown in the trash.  They come in several sizes: AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V.  They also come in several types:

·        Alkaline

·        Carbon Zinc (rechargeable)

·        Alkaline Manganese (rechargeable)

 

How-To: Manage your non-hazardous household waste

By managing non-hazardous waste at home, residents can help make sure their community is available to provide low-cost hazardous waste disposal for the long term.

Tips on managing hazardous waste in the household

·        The best way to dispose of a small excess amount of pesticide is to use it.  Apply according to directions on the label.

·        Store pesticides in their original containers, complete with labels that list ingredients, directions for use, and antidotes.

·        Never transfer pesticides to other containers.

·        Store chemicals in a dry, protected area.  Concrete surfaces cause metal containers to corrode.

·        Do not over-apply pesticides to use up the excess.

·        Store paint in a dry area and place lid on tightly to keep air out.  To keep a good seal on the lid, store paint cans upside down (make sure the lids are on tight).  Properly handled, oil-based paint has a shelf life of almost 15 years!

·        Don’t buy more chemicals then you will use in one season.

·        Handle any spills according to the label directions.  Do not re-use spilled products.  Spilled products can be taken to the satellite facility.

·        Learn about the different types of chemicals you use in your pool.  You may be able to minimize the types of chemicals you store.

·        Never mix chemicals, even different brands of the same type.  This includes using a clean, dry scoop for each product.  Do not put a wet scoop back into a container.

How-To: Manage your non-hazardous household waste

By managing non-hazardous waste at home, residents can help make sure their community is available to provide low-cost hazardous waste disposal for the long term.

 

How to manage pool chemicals

·        Store and use all chemicals according to the manufacturer’s directions.

·        Store them out of the reach of children.  Keep them off the floor in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, with the lids firmly in place.

·        Store dry and wet chemicals away from each other and never store any liquid on a shelf above dry chemicals.  Do not stack pool chemicals.

·        Never store them in direct sunlight and keep them away from any source of flame.

·        A separate locked storage area for pool chemicals is recommended, as the products can react with many other substances and create hazardous fumes and explosions.

·        Never mix chemicals, even different brands of the same type.  This includes using a clean, dry scoop for each product.  Do not put a wet scoop back into a container.

·        Always add the product to water, never add water to the product.

·        Read and follow label instructions and don’t overuse.

·        Wear protective glasses and gloves.

·        Add chemicals to the pool one at a time and follow the directions regarding time specifications.

 

How-To: Manage your non-hazardous household waste

By managing non-hazardous waste at home, residents can help make sure their community is available to provide low-cost hazardous waste disposal for the long term.

You can dispose of latex paint yourself using one or more of the following methods:

• Open the paint can and let it dry out on its own;

• Pour the paint onto newspaper and let it dry – then toss the newspaper in the trash; or

• Add cat litter or sawdust to the paint, stir and let dry.

 

When you’re ready to throw the paint and can away, make sure the lid is off the paint can so your garbage hauler knows the can is empty or that all paint is dried.  Other latex products such as spackling compounds, latex caulking compounds and latex adhesives can be disposed of the same way.

 

The following products can be safely disposed of down the drain:  liquid cleaners such as Lysol, soap, drain cleaners, laundry products, shampoo, and enzymatic drain cleaners.  To use this disposal method, pour one cup of material down the drain and let the water run for one minute.  Do NOT pour multiple products down the drain at once!

How-To: Manage your non-hazardous household waste

By managing non-hazardous waste at home, residents can help make sure their community is available to provide low-cost hazardous waste disposal for the long term.

 

Automotive products

Most liquid automotive products are hazardous and should never be poured down drains, on the ground or placed in the trash.  These products include brake fluid, fuels, transmission fluids, degreasers, waxes, cleaners, and windshield-washer fluid.  This list also includes used oil filters.  Handle waste fuels such as gasoline and gas/oil mixtures by storing flammable materials in an approved container away from ignition sources in a well-ventilated area, or using fuels up before storing equipment for the winter.