Tip of the Day: How to safely dispose of oil, paint, and other hazardous materials
April 29, 2010 2:58 PM
Safely dispose of hazardous items.
The news might get you to wondering about how to safely dispose of old oil (say from your lawn mower), paint, cleaners, yard chemicals, and other hazardous substances you spotted during spring cleanup of your garage, basement, workshop, or shed. The key thing to remember is that you shouldn't dispose of those substances with the trash. For good reason, most municipalities across the country ban you from getting rid of these materials as part of regular garbage disposal. Certainly don't throw or flush any of those liquids down the drain.
Your best bet is to dispose of these items at a municipal/county facility or through a municipal/county program that can safely handle oil, paint, cleaners, pesticides, and even batteries and old electronics equipment.
Many municipalities and counties run collection days during the spring. To find out when such an event is taking place near you, contact the environmental-protection or public-works department or visit its Web page, which you can find through your town's or county's site. On Earth911.com, you'll find more information on proper disposal by searching by material and ZIP code.
From our archives, here's some specific information for paint disposal and a range of other household items. If you're taking advantage of a cash for appliances rebate and replacing appliances, find out what to do you with your old kitchen and laundry equipment.
—Daniel DiClerico
Essential information: Use our spring-cleaning advice. And before you burn any leaves or yard debris you've collected during yard cleanup, read this item from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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