HHW Program 

​

Keep Haralson Beautiful will host a Household Hazardous Waste Event again this year.   This event will take place at West Georgia Technical College 176 Murphy Campus Blvd. Waco, Ga. 30182

 

Check the Calendar of Events for date

​

WE WILL ACCEPT:

Paint (limit of 5 gallons for free and $2.00 each for additional gallons)

Alkaline Cleaners

Fertilizers

Pesticides

Fluorescent Light Bulbs (NOT CURLEY BULBS) These can be taken to Home Depot

Batteries of all types (NOT TOOL BATTERIES) These can be taken to Home Depot 

 

We are providing the following, additional,  instructions to guide you with appropriate disposal methods:

​

                                          Solvents

​

1. Do NOT flush solvents down the drain because these drains lead to either a home septic system or a municipal treatment plant, neither of which has adequate capability to remove hazardous chemicals from wastewater.

2. Toxic chemicals might also disrupt microbial processes in septic tanks and treatment plants, reducing their effectiveness.

3. Some of the toxins can be removed, but a significant portion of these chemicals passes through treatment processes and ultimately contaminates water resources.

4. They should also be informed that home hazardous products should never be poured on the ground, into gutters, or down storm drains where they will eventually enter storm sewers and be transported untreated into nearby bodies of water.

Processes for Disposal of Paints and Solvents

The processes described here basically involve either solidifying wastes for disposal via regular garbage service, or evaporation. With both of the basic below steps, you want to work outside, and wear rubber gloves and eye protection. Never mix more than one material as you’re preparing the items for disposal.

a)   Solidification:

1. The idea here is to make the liquids solid. Sawdust or shredded newspaper will work, but for any real quantity you’ll want to get some kitty litter, cheaper at auto parts stores; ask for oil dry.

2. Double-line a garbage can with plastic garbage bags, add some oil dry and then some liquid waste.

3. Work outside, away from access by children or animals.

4. When the material is solidified, tie up the bag and it can then go into the regular trash.

5. Be sure not to get the bag so heavy that you can’t handle it, or that it ruptures.

b)   Evaporation:

1. Work outside, away from access by children and animals.

2. If there is just a trace amount of fuel in the container, simply open the top and let it evaporate.

3. If you have more than a very little bit, you’ll want to accelerate the process. Get some sort of disposable metal tray (an aluminum foil roasting pan is ideal) and pour a half-inch of fuel into the tray. The increased surface area will allow the fuel to evaporate much more quickly.

4. Repeat this process until the fuel is gone, and then recycle or reuse the containers if possible.

5. The foil tray can be recycled with scrap aluminum; if you’re leery of having the fuel-coated foil around your house until you can recycle it then wad up the tray, wrap it in a few layers of newspaper and put it in a sturdy plastic garbage bag. Then it can be disposed of in your regular household trash. (atlantarecycles.com)

A good way to avoid the hassle of having to dispose of HHW is to use products that do not contain harmful substances to begin with.

​