Tips To Properly Dispose Of Household Hazardous Waste

June 16, 2011 - PRLog -- Cleaning the garage or closing your pool for the summer can create challenges in disposing of chemicals, paint and other potentially hazardous materials.

“Throwing these materials in the garbage can have serious consequences for our drivers and the environment,” said Dale Henderson, general manager of All Service Refuse, a division of Republic Services of Florida.  “For example, putting pool chemicals in your garbage can actually start a fire inside a garbage truck.”

All Service Refuse provides waste removal and recycling services for many municipalities in Broward County.  Its drivers are trained to recognize potentially hazardous materials and are instructed to refuse collection.

“Many homeowners don’t realize that they cannot put everything in the trash can,” said Henderson.  “If they have chemicals, automotive products or other unusual items, they should contact their collection company or the local waste authority and ask about hazardous waste collection events.”

The following is a list of household hazardous waste that should not be placed in your trash:
*  Automotive products:  gasoline, motor oil, antifreeze, lead-acid batteries, brake fluid and transmission fluid
*  Home improvement products: varnish, stain, paint thinner, paint stripper, caulk, adhesives
*  Household cleaners: drain opener, bleach and ammonia
*  Pesticides: insecticide and insect repellent, weed killer, rat and mouse poison
*  Other:  pool chemicals, lighter fluid and hot coals from the BBQ or fireplace
*  Propane tanks or compressed gas cylinders
*  Ammunition: could go off if run over by a large machine at a landfill
*  Fluorescent light bulbs

Many communities and municipalities host household hazardous waste collection centers.  Contact your local solid waste authority for more information.

Republic Services, Inc.
Republic Services, Inc. provides recycling and solid waste collection, transfer and disposal services in the United States and Puerto Rico.  The Company’s various operating units, including collection companies, transfer stations, recycling centers and landfills, are focused on providing reliable environmental services and solutions for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers.  For more information, visit the Republic Services web site at
http://www.republicservices.com