I still cringe to this day when I think of my dad, dumping the leftover paint (from rinsing paintbrushes and tools) or used car oil on our country, gravel road, mixing it in the rock. Surely, there was a better option to dispose of the water-downed substance. Perhaps no other options existed then but they do today.
Thankfully, our cities today offer so many opportunities to care for the environment, including recycle. Most cities provide recycle bins to each household as an incentive to recycle standard products like plastics, glass, and paper. In turn, cities can make money off of collecting people's garbage. Cities even allow for yard waste pick-up as a means to recreate mulch for later purchase. Overall, cities have a number of environmentally safe methods and means to recycle these days.
Judah and I were reminded once again of the importance of recycling when we saw the public works vehicles and trucks at our nearby Farmers Market last week. I would not consider myself an environmentalist but rather a concerned citizen when it comes to my own garbage. So while Judah sat in the garbage truck, I found out when the next city-wide clean up days were.
Still do you ever wonder what to do with leftover paints and cleaners? There are some things in your household that do not belong in the trash, regular recycling, or even on the curb for scheduled clean-up days. So what do you do with these hazardous materials throughout your home and garage when you are done with them (or want to be done with them).
Check with your local waste management authority. Most communities provide a hazardous waste, scheduled drop-off for similar items mentioned below. So think twice before you throw these items in your trash. Instead, check with your community on how to properly dispose of such materials.
Home and Garden: Aerosol cans, Batteries (household), Brush killer, Concrete cleaners & etches Fertilizers, Fluorescent light bulbs/ballast, Fungicide, Furniture polish, Insect spray Mercury thermostats/thermometers, Metal polish (solvent-based), Mothballs, Pesticides, Pool chemicals, Rat, mouse and gopher poison, Rust removers, Spot remover, Wallpaper remover, Weed killer
Garage and Workshop: Aerosol cleaners, Antifreeze, Auto polish, Auto starter fluid, Brake fluid, Car wax, Carburetor cleaner, Caulk, Contact cement, Driveway sealer, Epoxy, Gasoline, Glues, Kerosene, Lighter fluid, Motor Oil, Oil filters (used), Paint remover, Paint thinner, Paint (oil-based and lead-based), Petroleum-based adhesives, Roofing tar,
Shellac, Stain, Varnish, Windshield washer solution
Kitchen and Bathroom: Polish remover, Toilet bowl cleaner, Ammonia-based cleaners, Cleaners (solvent-based) Drain cleaners, Floor care products, Oven cleaner
Our own community is doing their particular drop off date for hazardous materials on June 25. For a complete listing of Iowa communities teaming up with Metro Waste Authority, check out the "Clean-up Crew."
To learn more about how to dispose of medicine, read "Cleaning Out the Medicine Cabinet" as well as learn more about Iowa's Takeaway program.
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