Household Hazardous Waste Day

Next Collection Event: 2008 date, to be announced. Usually the third Saturday in September, from, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

2007 Statistics:  This year our event was very successful, with 634 households participating.  Thank You citizens for your help. 

We were not able to schedule two dates for the 2007 year.

Where: Fairground of Putnam County

What is household hazardous waste?

Anything found in the household that is a chemical compound and chemical wastes that have at least one ingredient that is environmentally harmful. Waste that can burn easily (flammable), corrode or irritate the skin (corrosive), generate heat or explode (reactive) and are poisonous to humans and animals (toxic) are potentially dangerous.

What can be accepted at the household hazardous waste event?

• Household cleaners i.e. oven cleaners, wood and metal cleaners and polishers, toilet bowl cleaners, disinfectants, drain openers
• Automotive products i.e. oil and fuel additives, grease and rust solvents, carburetor and fuel injector cleaners, air conditioning refrigerants, starter fluids, body putty, antifreeze/coolant, waste oil, old gasoline
• Home maintenance and improvement products i.e. paint thinners, paint strippers and removers, adhesives, paint
• Lawn and garden products i.e. herbicides, pesticides/rodenticides, fungicides, wood preservatives
• Miscellaneous i.e. batteries, fingernail polish remover, pool chemicals, photo processing chemicals, reactives (aerosols/compressed gas)
• Electronics such as televisions, computers, monitors, cell phones, microwaves, stereos, radios.
  

What can not be accepted at the household hazardous waste event:

• Commercial farm and business hazardous waste
• Medical waste
• Explosives or ordnance
• Radioactive materials
• Air conditioners especially those that still contain freon 

What to do with household hazardous waste while waiting for the upcoming event.

• Store waste out of reach of children or pets
• If you have just a small amount of latex paint left, you can remove the lid and store the can to dry out. The State of Tennesee dictates that dried latex paint can be disposed of in the garbage.  Oil base paint should be disposed of during the household haz waste collection.  Try to keep all chemicals in original labeled containers for identification

Why is properly disposing of household hazardous waste important?

• Burning hazardous waste can add to the toxicity of air emissions
• Pouring waste down drains and septic systems can lead to the contamination of groundwater and interfere with the "good" bacteria in the septic tank
• Putting hazardous waste directly into your ordinary trash can be harmful to sanitation workers, can contain incompatible chemicals that can cause fires in garbage trucks or dumpsters
• Placing hazardous waste directly into landfills can produce toxic leachate
• Improper storage of waste in home can lead to a higher risk of accidental poisoning or injury.

What happens to the household hazardous waste once it is collected?

• Lead-acid batteries and mercury are recycled
• Paints, kerosene, motor oil, gasoline, solvents and other flammable or combustible liquids are blended to make a fuel for industrial kilns and boilers
• Liquids such as antifreeze and some oil based paints and cleaners are treated to make their hazardous parts immobile
• Most pesticides, herbicides, aerosol cans, cleaners, waxes and flammable materials (not suitable for fuel use) are burned in special high temperature incinerators equipped with monitoring instruments and air pollution control devices.
• Materials not suitable for other disposal methods will be placed in a secure chemical landfill. This is also used for residues produced by other treatment methods.

What can you do to reduce waste?

• Buy only the amount of a product that you need.
• Use all of the product according to the directions on the label.
• give leftover products to someone who can use them.
• Choose and use other safer products.
• Handle all products with care.
• Properly dispose of unwanted leftover products by bringing them to the household hazardous waste event.