This article was originally published in Teton Valley News June 6th, 2013. It is reposted with permission.

Have you ever changed the oil in your car, sprayed for noxious weeds, stained woodwork, or cleaned your house?  If the answer is yes, you probably have hazardous waste in your home. Many common household items are considered hazardous waste, and cannot be disposed of at the transfer station. Proper disposal protects human health as well as our soil, air, and water. However, figuring out how to dispose of waste properly can be a little tricky.

First, it is important to be able to identify what materials are hazardous. Most of the chemicals used to clean your home, treat your yard, fix your car, or finish wood products are considered hazardous waste. This includes over cleaners, toilet cleaners, drain openers, stain and spot removers, furniture polish, chlorine bleach, abrasive cleaners, poisons, motor oil and filters, gasoline, antifreeze, pool chemicals, pesticides and herbicides, glues and caulks, turpentine, stain, oil-based paints, wood preservatives, mercury thermometers, and fluorescent light bulbs.

A few of these items can be disposed of in Teton Valley. Used motor oil can be recycled at the transfer station in Driggs. Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative accepts double-bagged fluorescent light bulbs for recycling. While oil-based paint is hazardous, latex or water-based paint can be disposed of at the transfer station when it is dry and solid. Add one part absorbent, such as kitty litter, to two parts paint. Stir well and let sit for 24 hours. Your paint is now safe for disposal!

Other household hazardous waste can be disposed of at Jackson Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling on the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday of each month from April through October. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling them at 307-733-7678. While there is a charge for this service, Teton County, Idaho residents can be reimbursed up to $150 a year for their hazardous waste disposal. Submit your receipts to the Teton County Clerk or at the scale house at the transfer station. More information is available on the Teton County website, www.tetoncountyidaho.gov.

Jackson does not accept asbestos, ammunition or explosives, unstable chemicals, containers larger than five gallons, biological, medical, agricultural, or radioactive waste, or more than 80 gallons at a time. Farmers can recycle empty fertilizer containers and dispose of unused pesticides through the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. This program is free for up to 1,000 pounds of unused pesticides per participant! Visit the Department of Agriculture website at www.agri.idaho.gov, or call the Agricultural Program Manager, Vick Mason, at 208-332-8628 for more information.

Finally, the best way to deal with hazardous waste is to avoid it. Baking soda and vinegar clean almost everything without toxic chemicals. Add some orange peels to a jar of vinegar and strain after one month for a fresh all-purpose cleaner. Unclog drains with mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Let sit and rinse with a pot of boiling water. Repeat monthly to prevent clogging. By using natural cleaners, following application guidelines for pesticides and herbicides, and disposing of hazardous waste properly, you can help keep your family, your pets, and the environment clean and safe.