Household Hazardous Waste is defined as products in your home that can be harmful to humans and the environment.  They include products in your home that are toxic, corrosive, flammable, combustible or irritating to the body tissues.  Current disposal methods in Sheridan County include illegal disposal through the landfill, pouring materials in storm or household drains, or continuous storage in cupboards or garages.  HHW that is stored continuously in cupboards or garages and/or disposed of through household or storm drains, on the ground, or in the trash may contaminate surface and ground water or even injure sanitation workers, children, and others.

The Sheridan area Household Hazardous Waste Task Force was formed in 2002 as a sub-committee of the Sheridan Recycling Task Force to organize and implement a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day for the community. Events were held in June 2003, 2004 and 2006. These events provided the households of Sheridan County a proper method of disposal free of charge.

Another Household Hazardous Waste Day is scheduled on June 7, 2008.  Items that WILL be accepted at the next HHW collection day include: oil-based and latex paints, pesticides and fertilizers, e-waste (computers, VCR's, televisions, radio's, cell-phones), household cleaners, batteries, pool chemicals, mercury, solvents, and degreasers.  Place items in the trunk or easily accessible place in your vehicle when delivering them to the HHW collection facility.  You will be asked to remain in the vehicle while the items are removed. Items the WILL NOT be accepted include: car batteries; business, commercial, industrial or medicinal waste; ammunition and explosives; asbestos; gas cylinders; oil; tires; radioactive material; and household garbage. 

What YOU Need to know about Household Hazardous Wastes

Automotive Products including antifreeze, auto batteries, brake, transmission and wiper fluids, carburetor and engine cleaners and gasoline and motor oils can be a threat to the environment if disposed of improperly.  Antifreeze and gasoline can be strained or filtered and reused.  Auto batteries can be traded when purchasing new batteries or taken to the landfill to be recycled.  Used motor oil can be taken to the landfill or to tanks in the Towns of Dayton and Clearmont to be recycled.  Carburetor and engine cleaners, and brake, transmission, or windshield washer fluid need to be used completely, given to someone who can use them or saved for the next HHW collection day.

Batteries, cellular phones, and other E-Waste including alkaline, lithium, NiCad batteries and computer equipment can be a threat to the environment if disposed of improperly.  Some batteries can be given to jewelers, pharmacies, and hearing aid distributors.  Old cellular phones can be exchanged for new ones or given to someone that can use them.  Computer equipment can sometimes be refurbished to be made useable or donated to non-profit groups and schools.

Less toxic alternatives: Using solar powered batteries, wind-up products, alkaline rechargeable batteries or AC adapters.  Purchase only low or no mercury brands.

Paint and Paint Products including adhesives, paints, strippers, thinners, varnishes, stains, and wood preservatives can be a threat to the environment if disposed of improperly.  Adhesives and latex or water-based paints can be allowed to harden and then filtered for re-use.  The settled sludge can be placed in the trash when dried.

Enamel or oil-based paints, petroleum or solvent based strippers, stains, varnishes and wood preservatives need to be used completely or saved for the next HHW collection day.

Less toxic alternatives: Using latex or water-based paints, white or yellow glues, and sandpaper and scrapers.

Lawn and Garden Products including pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can be a threat to the environment.  Chemical fertilizers can be placed in the garbage, if they do not contain week killer.  You can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers by mowing the lawn frequently (to a height of 3") and leaving clippings, as well as using compost and other less toxic alternatives.

Items such as ant killers, rat and mouse poisons, other insecticides, and herbicides need to be used completely or saved for the next HHW collection day.

Less toxic alternatives:  Using chili pepper to control ants, soapy water solutions instead of household insecticides, and insect predators, such as ladybugs, for some garden pests.

For all products, store items in their original containers, make sure the labels are legible and keep items out of the trash and out of the reach of children or pets.  Dispose of them at the next collection day, or give to someone who can use them.

For more information contact Susan Holmes at 672-9006.