This article will be published in the Teton Valley News on May 7 2015. It is republished with permission.
Spring cleaning and home projects are in full force! Our local cities and Teton County are also hosting community-wide clean-ups and Arbor Day celebrations May 9-16 (see our homepage for more info). All of this cleaning is great, but, do you know that herbicides, car oil, wood stain, paint, and many of your household cleaners are considered hazardous waste? While these items can make our lives easier, many of them can be harmful when used or disposed of improperly. In fact, a lot of common household cleaners should not be thrown in your trash or poured down the drain where they could potentially enter and pollute our water resources, including drinking water. Throwing away many of these items is illegal because of their harmful effects. By understanding what products may be hazardous, how they’re handled, and if there are any potential alternative products, you can help make your home and environment a cleaner, safer place.
What makes a product hazardous? Hazardous products are toxic, flammable, corrosive, explosive, or reactive. Exposure to these products can be harmful to your health and even deadly. Improper use and disposal of these products can harm our drinking water, air, soil, fisheries, and wildlife. Look for words on product labels such as “danger,” “warning,” or “caution,” as these all signal to the degree that a product may be hazardous.
The average person in the U.S. uses 40.6 pounds of household cleaners each year (Idaho Department of Environmental Quality). Though we like cleanliness, most of the chemicals used to clean your house, treat your lawn, fix your car, or finish your wood products are considered hazardous waste. These include toilet and oven cleaners, stain removers, solvents, thinners, drain openers, chlorine bleach, oil-based paint, motor oil and filters, antifreeze, gasoline, polishes and waxes, fluorescent light bulbs, aerosol cans, mercury thermometers, glues and caulks, turpentine, pesticides, and herbicides.
What should you do with all of this hazardous waste? First, use the product according to instructions, then dispose of the items properly. Some of these items can be collected in Teton Valley, while, most of the hazardous waste materials can be taken to the Hazardous Waste Facility in Jackson, WY, where Teton County, Idaho residents can be reimbursed up to $150 per year for fees paid to dispose of hazardous waste. Submit receipts to the Teton County Clerk or to the transfer station scale house for reimbursement. The Jackson facility is open the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from April through October. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 307-733-7678. More information is available online at tetoncountyidaho.gov.
Locally, used motor oil can be recycled at our transfer station, and fluorescent light bulbs are accepted at Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative in Driggs. Oil-based paint is hazardous and should be taken to the Hazardous Waste Facility, but dried latex and water-based paint can be disposed of at the transfer station. To dry your water-soluble paint, add one part absorbent (e.g., kitty litter or sawdust) to two parts paint and mix well. Let dry for 24 hours before disposal.
The following materials are toxic and should never be disposed of in a landfill, but you can recycle them locally! Batteries are recycled at the transfer station and Ace Hardware. Electronic waste like computers, TV’s, printers, iPods, digital cameras, and cell phones can are accepted at the transfer station. Old cell phones are also accepted at Silver Star Communications.
Items not accepted at the transfer station or the Jackson Hazardous Waste Facility are asbestos, ammunition or explosives, unstable chemicals, containers larger than five gallons, and biological, medical, agricultural, or radioactive waste. Farmers can dispose up to 1,000 pounds of unused pesticides for free and can recycle clean and empty pesticide and fertilizer containers through the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. Visit the Department of Agriculture website at www.agri.idaho.gov or call 208-332-8628.
Lastly, the best way to deal with hazardous waste is to avoid it. There are wonderful natural and eco-friendly cleaning products and alternatives on the market. Baking soda and vinegar can also clean almost anything cheaply and without toxic chemicals. Make a difference in your health and environment by opting for natural cleaners, and properly follow application directions and disposal of hazardous waste. Happy spring cleaning!
Jen Werlin is the Executive Director of Teton Valley Community Recycling. For more information about waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, and/or to become involved with our community-wide efforts to reduce litter and landfill waste, please visit tetonrecycling.org.
Please call 307-733-7678 for a Household Hazardous Waste appointment with Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling (Jackson Recycling Facility).