Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)

Click here, for Household Hazardous Waste and other recycling events.
A few times a year, special collection days are offered to ensure residential HHW is properly disposed of. These collections are for Calhoun County residents only.  

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines leftoverDSC04042 household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients to be “household hazardous waste” or “HHW.” Products such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides that contain potentially hazardous ingredients require special care when disposed of.

Improper disposal of HHW can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or in some cases, putting them out with the trash. The dangers might not be immediately obvious, but improper disposal can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health.

Helpful Resources:

Mercury   Used Fuel/ Oil    
Mercury Spill Quick Guide
How to Clean Up Mercury
   Oil picks up small particles of metal and dirt as it lubricates a car engine which can make it toxic. See the Household Do-It-Yourselfer (DIY) Used Motor Oil and Filters Guide to learn more about recycling household used oil.    
         
Latex and Oil-based Paint   Sharps    
How can I tell if I have latex or oil-based paint? Latex paint labels will use words such as “latex,” “acrylic latex,” or “cleans up with soap and water.” Read the ingredients list and look for the word “water.” 

If you have oil-based paint, your label will say “alkyd,” “oil-based,” and “caution: combustible.” The label will mention “mineral spirits,” “soya oil,” “aliphatic hydrocarbons,” or “petroleum distillates.”		   What can type of container can I put sharps into? Place sharps in a rigid plastic container with a lid such as a laundry detergent bottle.  Make sure the container is labeled “sharps.”  Do NOT place sharps in plastic bags or have them loose in a cardboard box. 
Click Here for more information.
Sharps Drop Box Flyer		    

Helium
Helium Tanks

 

  Pesticides
Pesticide Disposal		    

Free medication disposal options
(No liquid or sharps):
Meijer - drug take back kiosk located at their pharmacies
Walgreens - safe medication disposal kiosk located at the Columbia Ave. location in Battle Creek
Hemmingsen Rexall Drugstore - Medsafe disposal box in Marshall

RedMed Locations Flyer

 

 Smoke Detectors
Click here to learn how to properly get rid of youe used smoke detectors. 

    
EGLE Hazardous Waste 101 Video        
 
   
Click here, for HHW and other recycling events.