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Department of Public Works - Household Hazardous Waste
The Department of Public Works Bureau of Solid Waste will host a Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off event:
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2009 and Sunday, October 11, 2009
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Both Days)
Location: Polytechnic Institute Parking Lot (Corner of Falls Road and Cold Spring Lane)
*This event is open to Baltimore City residents ONLY. In order to participate, you must show proof of residency when you arrive.
Examples of typical household hazardous waste material include automotive fluids, break fluid, button batteries, car batteries, coal tar products, creosote products, floor care products, fungicides, furniture strippers, gasoline, herbicides, household batteries, insecticides, kerosene, laser toner cartridges, oven cleaners, paint, oil based and latex, paint, paint thinners, pesticides, pool chemicals, propane gas tanks (30 gal. only), rust removers, solvents, turpentine, varnishes and stains, weed killers, wood preservers, straight florescent light bulbs.
These are materials that absolutely cannot go into the trash or down a drain. These materials must be disposed of by a reputable, licensed contractor. During times that Baltimore City cannot offer a drop-off event, please store hazardous waste material in a cool dry place and look for announcements from the City about future drop-off events. Attached for your convenience is MDE’s HHW fact sheet. Also, below are suggested alternatives. At point of purchase, you are encouraged to buy less toxic/hazardous alternatives.
FREQUENT (HHW) QUESTIONS --What to do with……?
CFL Disposal (Compact Fluorescent Bulbs):Many Ikea stores offer a “Free Take Back” program for CFL bulbs. Also, Home Depot recently announced that each of its 1,973 store locations will also offer free CFL recycling. At Home Depot, customers can drop off expired, unbroken bulbs at the returns counter of any Home Depot store. However, at point of purchase, you are encouraged to check with the retailer or manufacture for possible take back or recycling programs.
For additional information on CFL Disposal, please visit the Maryland Department of Environment’s webpage at http://www.mde.state.md.us/
Latex/Water Base PaintUse completely, or give away to someone who can use it. Otherwise, air dry unwanted paint in the can and mix with kitty litter. Dispose of dried paint in the garbage. Alternative - Use whitewash for fences, barns, and outbuildings. Use new, low volatility paints.
http://www.mde.state.md.us/assets/document/factsheets/haz_household.pdf
Use up, or give to someone who can use it. Otherwise, store for a household hazardous waste drop-off event in your area. Alternative – Use latex or water-based paint. http://www.mde.state.md.us/assets/document/factsheets/haz_household.pdf
BatteriesThe time in which we live and our everyday social habits require the use of many types of batteries. If you are interested in recycling your old batteries, please considered take-back programs at retail store outlets like (Home Depot, Lowes, Circuit City, Best Buy, Radio Shack, Cell Phone Retail Stores). Preferably, at point-of-purchase, please inquire about the stores’ possible recycling options. Please also visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s website for further details, http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/battery.htm#batteryrecycle
Examples of typical household batteries:
- Rechargeable Batteries These batteries should be recycled through a retail take-back program.
- Alkaline Batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 6V, 9V) typically used in flash lights and remote controls are no longer considered hazardous.
- Laptop Batteries These batteries should be recycled through a retail take-back program or at one of Baltimore City’s Citizen Drop off locations; and placed into the eCycle container.
- Lithium Batteries (camera, toy, calculator) these batteries should be recycled through a retail take-back program or at one of Baltimore City’s Citizen Drop off locations; and placed into the eCycle container.
- Button Batteries (hearing aid, watch) these batteries should be recycled through a retail take-back program.
- Lead-Acid Batteries (vehicle) these batteries should be recycled through a retail take-back program.
Baltimore City offers free drop off for used motor oil to Baltimore City residents Monday – Saturday at five Citizen Drop off locations. Please click Drop-Off Locations for addresses and times.
Cooking OilAt this time Baltimore City does not offer residential cooking oil recycling, but we are looking into the option as an alternative energy source. As this develops, additional information will be posted.
Propane Tanks/Fire Extinguisher
Unfortunately, we do not accept the small propane tanks or fire extinguishers during our Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-off events. However, we do accept the 30 gallon size propane tanks as they are apart of our HHW contract. Until we are able to add such items to our HHW contract in the future, below are some suggested alternatives.
Old propane tanks can be taken to a propane tank supplier such as Home Depot. Most suppliers will take your old tank for disposal when you purchase a new one. Empty gas canisters less then two pounds (such as the small Coleman camping canisters) may be placed in the garbage. For additional Propane Tank disposal alternatives you may also visit www.amerigas.com/exchange/consumer or www.HelloLocal.com once on the HelloLocal page, under Business Search, type in “disposal propane tanks” and you will receive a listing for local assistance.
Non-empty fire extinguishers contain chemicals that prohibit them from being thrown into the regular trash and must be recycle. For fire extinguisher disposal alternatives please visit www.HelloLocal.com once on this page, under Business Search, type in “disposal fire extinguisher” and you will receive a listing for local assistance.
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