So, I was standing at the local home improvement store and deciding on  solvent to clean paint brushes when it struck me…how do you dispose of this toxic stuff when you don’t have a crew to do it!

So I headed over to our pals at the EPA and found some answers. So, the EPA defines HHW like this:

“Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered to be “household hazardous waste” or “HHW.” Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides, that contain potentially hazardous ingredients require special care when you dispose of them.

Improper disposal of household hazardous wastes can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or in some cases putting them out with the trash. The dangers of such disposal methods might not be immediately obvious, but improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health. Many communities in the United States offer a variety of options for conveniently and safely managing HHW.”

Here are some fun facts about HHW:

• Americans generate 1.6 million tons of HHW per year.
• The average home can accumulate as much as 100 pounds of HHW in the basement and garage and in storage closets.
• During the 1980s, many communities started special collection days or permanent collection sites for handling HHW. In 1997, there were more than 3,000 HHW permanent programs and collection events throughout the United States.

So, what do we do?

I went to our pals at the City of Phoenix and there is a program for this! You can view it on their web page here.  They even have a document that shows you how to dispose of HHW’s and their more environmentally friendly options. Very cool stuff.  You can view their document here.

So, throughout the year there are HHW collection events in Phoenix, and they are FREE! How cool is that? Here is the schedule.

Some more notes about the collections….

What happens to the items collected?

• Recycling companies will recycle the used motor oil, batteries and antifreeze.
• Useable paints will be mixed and reused or recycled.
• Unusable materials will be disposed of properly.
• Collected appliance materials are hauled directly to a recycling facility, or to another facility for proper removal and recycling of regulated materials, such as refrigerants. After removal of refrigerants, the appliances are recycled.

Between HHW collection events…

• Motor oil and car batteries can be taken to some local auto parts stores for free. Call the store first – materials accepted and hours of operation are subject to change.
• Allow small amounts of latex paint (1/3 of a gallon or less) to dry and harden. Place open can of dried paint in refuse container. Place lid in container separately.
• Use or burn up liquid propane in small (1 lb) canisters. Place empty canister in refuse container. Bring BBQ cylinders/tanks to HHW collection events.
• City disposal facilities accept car batteries, up to five (5) gallons of motor oil per residence, appliances that use refrigerants, and up to five (5) tires ( no oversized tires) per residence per year. Bring proof of City of Phoenix residency (your current Phoenix water bill).

How cool is this program? Questions? Ask us!