Household Hazardous Waste

Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW) have at least one of the following characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, chemical reactivity, or toxicity. HHW items include paint, gasoline, fertilizers, pesticides, wed killers, some cleaners, used motor oil, antifreeze, pool chemicals, batteries, florescent light bulbs, photographic developer chemicals, solvents, and much, much more. If these materials are not properly used or disposed of, they can damage our air, water, and land and can endanger human health.

There are safe and free ways to dispose of these unwanted materials. One way is to use the free service provided to all citizens of Brown County through an inter-local agreement with Monroe County Solid Waste District. You may take hazardous materials such as mercury, paint, herbicides, old cleaning products, and chemicals to Monroe County’s hazardous Materials Unit (HAZMAT) for the cost of a drive to Bloomington. Bring your items through our Drive-Thru Center, and we will give you a voucher for you to present at the Monroe County HAZMAT. This youcher allows you up to $100 towards the cost of recycling the hazardous material!

But before you buy products, plan your needs carefully, and don’t buy more than you need. Be sure to use non-toxic alternatives whenever possible. (Baking soda instead of harsh cleansers, vinegar or club soda for stain removal, Borax for bleaching and disinfecting, vinegar for lime removal etc.)

Here is a list of ways to dispose of some Household Hazardous Waste without leaving the county, because the Central Recycling Center Drive-Thru facility accepts:

Elsewhere in the County:

Household Batteries: Brown County IGA, Brown County Health Department, Brown County Library, Brown County Soil and Water, Brown County Solid Waste Recycling Center, Brown County State Park (Service Center), McDonald’s Shopworth, True Value Hardware, Bears Hardware, Fruitdale Market, Crouch’s Market, Cordry-Sweetwater Conservancy District Office, and Knight’s Corner.

Latex Paint: Remove lid, place in well ventilated area and add cat litter or dry leaves to dry out remaining paint. Dispose of dried, solidified paint in its can, but leave lid off.

Medical Waste: Bandages, dressings and needles may be put into empty plastic laundry detergent bottles. Cap, tape around cap, and placed in your household trash. Used needles and syringes are also taken free of charge at Nashville Family Medicine. If taking medical waste there, take it in capped, taped and LABELED bottles– for the safety of the medical personnel.