We all have our dirty little secrets, tucked away in the bowels of our basement, gathering dust in the garage, or sleeping quietly in our garden sheds. You know what I’m talking about. Household toxics.
Household toxics can include old household cleaners (drain and oven cleaners); lawn and garden products (snail bait, pesticides, fertilizer); oil-based paints and stains; automotive products (antifreeze, engine additives, motor oil); pool and spa supplies; mercury-containing fluorescent light bulbs, and batteries of all kinds.
I know, I know, some of these date from the previous home owner or were needed for a specific project. But now they’re sitting there, nearly but not quite empty, and you’d really like to do a spring cleaning. Whatever you do, don’t throw it in the garbage!
These household toxics must be disposed of properly, for the health of our communities and the Earth. The good news is that in Seattle/King County, there are lots of options for safe disposal.
Households Hazards Line: 1-888-869-4233
South Household Hazardous Waste Facility:
Open Thurs-Sat, 10am-4pm. No appointment needed.
North Facility: make appointment through Household Hazards Line.
Bellevue/Factoria Facility:
Open Thurs-Sun, 9am-5pm. No appointment needed.
In the next few weeks, the mobile Household Hazardous Wastemobile will be collecting waste free of charge in these two communities:
May
May 16-18 –
Nationally, you can look up toxic waste disposal locations through your city or county government, or by going to Earth 911’s website and entering in the item you need to dispose of and your zip code in the search box at the top of the page.
Stay tuned for future blog postings on what happens to your items once you drop them off at the Hazardous Waste Facility, alternative products that are available, and other exciting information about household toxics!
1 comment:
Thanks for the tips about the hazmat stations. I had been wondering where to take some of the stuff in my basement!
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