Disposal Methods for Household Hazardous Wastes

Automotive Products

Waste Oil/Gasoline

  • Drain used oil into a plastic leak-proof container with a tight-fitting lid.
  • Take to a service station or oil change business that accepts it for recycling or to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
  • Discard EMPTY oil bottles in the trash with the lid on.
  • DO NOT DUMP USED OIL on ground, into street drains or down the sink. One gallon of used oil contaminates one million gallons of water.

Car Batteries

Trade in for a new battery. Take to a participating Service station, recycling center drop-off center or the Household Hazardous Waste Facility for recycling.

Antifreeze

  • Drain used antifreeze into a plastic leak-proof container with a tight-fitting lid and take to a participating service station or the Household Hazardous Waste Facility for recycling.
  • Discard empty antifreeze container in the trash.
  • Keep out of reach of children, pets, and other animals. Antifreeze is highly poisonous when ingested.
  • DO NOT DUMP ANTIFREEZE on the gorund, into street drains or into septic tank systems. It will pollute the water.

Transmission/Brake Fluid, Auto Cleaning Products

Take to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility for collection.

Paints and Related Products

Paint, Paint Removers, Art Supplies, Hobby and Craft Chemicals

  • Check into non-toxic alternatives for some of these products.
  • Take to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility for collection.
  • Use adequate ventilation and exercise caution with these products. Never put brushes in mouth.

Paint

  • Donate to a theater or civic group, or give to a neighbor to use.
  • Paint out small amounts on newspaper to empty cans. Recycle EMPTY AND DRY paint cans (no lids) with scrap metal.
  • To dispose of less than a quart of latex paint, let the liquid evaporate outdoors in a covered area away from children and pets. Discard resulting can of dried paint in trash with the lid removed.
  • Alternative - Use latex and water-based paints which do not require hazardous cleanup materials, or buy non-toxic paints when available.

Paint Solvents and Thinner

  • Avoid using oil-based paints and other products that require solvents or thinner for cleanup.
  • In a closed jar, allow sludge to settle to bottom, then pour off and re-use the clear liquid on top. Soak up sludge with an absorbent such as kitty litter, allow to dry in a well-ventilated area away from children and pets, then discard in the trash.
  • Take unused portion to Household Hazardous Waste Facility.