What Are Household Hazardous Wastes?
The average American home is full of potentially hazardous wastes such as pesticides, paint thinner, oven cleaner, floor polish and ant killer. These materials are considered hazardous because they are ignitable, corrosive, explosive or toxic.
Although the storage and disposal of household hazardous waste (HHW) is not regulated like industrial hazardous waste, it is still important to use, store and dispose of HHW carefully. It can be poisonous to animals and people or pollute the environment if poured down a sewer or on the ground. Even stored in our homes HHW may be a fire hazard. Disposing of it is difficult because many HHW products are liquids that are not accepted at the landfill.
Some Disposal Suggestions
The best way to dispose of HHW is to use it all up as it was intended. Cleaning products, paints and garden products are easy to dispose of this way. If you can’t use it, try to find someone who can.
Next time you purchase a potentially hazardous household product, buy the smallest amount you can to get the job done.
Read labels for disposal instructions or for more information. Consider a non-toxic alternative.
Household hazardous Waste Collections:
When: 10/12/24 1-3pm
Where: Erie County Landfill- 10102 Hoover Rd. Milan OH
Who: Erie County Solid Waste District Residents (No Businesses)
Companies that dispose of hazardous waste:
Veolia: 330-538-0600
Safety-Kleen: 330-273-3111
Clean Harbors Environmental: 216-
429-2401
Where to Dispose of HHW:
Antifreeze
Advanced Auto Parts
2238 Campbell St.
Sandusky
419-624-8950
Bob’s Auto Wrecking & Recovery Inc.
12602 St. Rt. 13
Milan
419-499-2005
Firestone
4320 Milan Rd.
Sandusky
419-871-0095
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)
Menards
1101 Lakecrest Pkwy
Sandusky
419-621-1205
Home Depot
715 Crossings Rd.
Sandusky
419-626-6493
Lowe’s
5500 Milan Rd.
Sandusky
419-624-6000
Motor Oil
SOME SITES HAVE RESTRICTIONS ON HOW MUCH THEY WILL TAKE AND/OR CHARGE A FEE…..PHONE NUMBERS ARE PROVIDED SO PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU CALL THE LOCATION AHEAD OF TIME.
MILAN
Bob’s Auto Wrecking
12602 St. Rt. 13
419-499-2005
Milan Automotive
1419 St. Rt. 113 East
419-499-2236
VERMILION
VIP Quick Lube
1413 St. Rt. 60 N
440-967-5823
SANDUSKY
Advanced Auto Parts
2238 Campbell St.
419-624-8950
Ebert’s Garage
7804 S. Hayes Ave.
419-359-1353
Griff’s Engine & Machine Co.
710 Erie St.
419-625-0783
Kasper Buick Pontiac GMC
2401 Cleveland Rd
419-625-8035
Lakeland Import Auto
4601 Columbus Ave.
419-627-9626
Maag’s Automotive & Machine Inc.
Also accepts transmission fluid and cooking oil.
1640 Columbus Ave.
419-626-1539
Walt’s Auto Repair
1229 W. Perkins Ave.
419-625-8156
Oil Filters
Oil filters are made from either “terne” or “non-terne” plated metals. Terne plated filters are made from a mixture of tin and lead and considered hazardous waste. They cannot be land filled. In 1993, manufacturers agreed to eliminate lead from the production of oil filters, however, some companies may not have implemented those changes. “Non-terne” plated used oil filters are lead free and not considered hazardous waste. That is, if all the oil is drained from them. Read the label before you purchase an oil filter to make sure it is “NON-TERNE” or lead free.
The Ohio EPA recommends recycling non-terne filters, however, once the oil is drained, the filter is considered municipal solid waste and can be land filled. The filter should be removed from a warm engine and drained immediately. There are three suggested methods for draining: Gravity Draining: Place the filter gasket side down in a drain pan. If the filter has an anti-drain valve, puncture the dome end with a screw driver and allow to drain for 12 to 14 hours; Crushing: Crush the filter with a vice or hydraulic device to squeeze out all the oil. Compact the remaining filter materials.Disassembly: Separate the filter into its parts. This allows the oil to drain from the filter. The metal parts can be recycled.
Mercury
Please contact the Erie County Solid Waste Management District at 419-433-7303 X 2303 to schedule a time slot at the next available Household Hazardous Waste Collection.
If you have a mercury spill please contact Erie County Emergency Management:
Timothy G. Jonovich, Director
2800 Columbus Avenue
Sandusky, Oh. 44870
Phone: (419) 627-7617
Fax: (419) 627-8108
Gasoline
How Do I Recondition Gasoline?
Unless contaminated with another substance, gasoline and fuel oils remain usable under most circumstances. However, as gasoline ages, it tends to lose some of its ability to ignite in an engine. Old gas used at full strength may account for sluggish behavior or temporary failure of an engine. Stored for long periods, gasoline can become contaminated by rust particles, dirt or water and become “gummy” or “varnished”. Most gasoline, even if it is old or contains oil or water, may be used after it is “reconditioned”. Reconditioned gasoline can be used in cars and trucks, and some two-cycle engines such as lawn mowers, snow blowers and outboard motors. Check your owner’s manual before using reconditioned gasoline in your engine. Do not use reconditioned gasoline in a car with a fuel injection system.
How Do I Remove Water From Gasoline?
To remove water from gasoline, follow these steps:
Pour the gasoline into a transparent jug. The water will settle to the bottom of the container, because water is heavier than gasoline. Carefully pour off the gasoline into a gas can, leaving the water in the jug. Pour the leftover water into a box lined with plastic and mix with an absorbent material such as sand or cat litter. Let the water dry and place the box, plastic and sand in the trash. Do not pour the water down the sink, storm drain or on the ground.
Gasoline contaminated with antifreeze, brake fluid, carburetor fluid or other unusual substances cannot be reconditioned. NEVER mix these substances together.
To recondition gasoline, follow these basic instructions: Work outdoors away from open flame and sources of heat or sparks. Do not smoke or wear contact lenses while working with gasoline. Pour the old gasoline into a second container through a funnel lined with a coffee filter or two layers of thin cloth to remove particles. When the filter is dry, throw it in the trash.
Mix one part filtered gasoline with five parts new gasoline. You can pour the reconditioned gasoline directly into a tank of new gasoline that is at least three-quarters full.
Paint
Latex Paint
May be disposed if it is allowed to dry. Remove the lid and place the can in an area away from children and animals. Occasionally break the “skin” that forms on the top as it dries. Or stir in enough plaster of paris, cat litter or oil absorbent to harden the paint. Latex paint may also be dried by pouring a little at a time into a cardboard box filled with layers of newspaper, sawdust or cat litter. When dry, the box and empty can may be disposed in the trash.
Oil Based Paints
In small amounts (one inch or less) may be hardened. Mix sawdust or cat litter into paint and allow to air dry in a well-ventilated area. Once paint is dried and hardened, wrap paint can in several layers of newspaper and dispose in the trash. Oil-based paints include enamel, varnish, shellac, lacquer, stain and sealer.
Aerosol Paints
Outdoors, spray the contents of the can into a cardboard box and let dry. Be sure to stay away from hot surfaces, open flames, flower and vegetable gardens. Do not inhale the vapors. Discard the dried painted box and empty can in the trash.
Solvents
Such as paint thinner, turpentine and mineral spirits should never be poured down a drain or storm sewer. Let these products sit in a closed container until the paint particles settle out. Then pour off the clear liquid which can be reused. Add sawdust or cat litter to the residue. Let it dry completely before disposing in the trash.
How Do I Keep Old Stored Paint To A Minimum?
BUY ONLY WHAT YOU NEED… Measure your room, including the door and window spaces, or the object you plan to paint. Take the measurements with you to the store and let the paint sales person help you estimate the amount of paint you will need. Read the label for coverage information. Average coverage is 400 to 450 square feet per gallon, although this will vary depending on the surface to be painted and type of paint.
USE LATEX PAINT… Because latex paint cleans up with soap and water, you do not need to buy paint thinner or other solvents.
USE IT ALL UP… Apply a second coat, paint a closet, touch up or paint a small object.