Hazardous Waste Storage Tips

Winter indoor projects-such as giving the walls a new coat of paint or refinishing a piece of furniture-sometimes generate wastes that need to be handled carefully and/or disposed of as hazardous waste. Since our next hazardous waste collection won't be held until mid-spring, this means residents will need to store unwanted or depleted hazardous products for a number of months. (There are disposal options for some items during the winter; see the third question below for details.) Safe storage is vital to keeping your home environment healthy. To help, here are a few of the common questions we receive and our responses.

Q. Why is the hazardous waste collection season limited to late spring through early fall?

A. The main reason is safety. As you know, travel can be risky to treacherous in rural communities during late fall and winter. Traveling slick roads with a load of hazardous waste in the trunk or the back of a pick-up truck is a potentially dangerous situation. The Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District holds hazardous waste collections during better weather seasons to reduce the risk of accidents en route. Our 2005 collection schedule will be set by mid-winter. Please call the office at 802-229-9383.

Q. What should I do with my hazardous waste during the winter?

A. Safe storage is the rule for hazardous waste, whether you're waiting to get rid of it during the collection season or storing it to use at a later time. Safe storage means in a place that's out of reach of children and pets. Under the sink is a poor storage location; a high shelf in the basement, garage or shed is usually a good spot. Ideally, hazardous products should be stored outside of living spaces. Keep in mind that some items need to be stored in a place where they won't freeze. Read the label for storage temperature requirements if you intend to use the item again. Please call the District if you need more assistance.

Q. How should I handle specific hazardous products, and are there any local disposal options during the winter?

A. The type of product dictates how it should be prepared for storage. In addition, there are disposal options for some hazardous household items year-round; see the item-by-item listing below for details.

• Oil-based paint can remain usable for up to 15 years if stored properly. Replace the lid firmly after use and store it upside down to prevent air from entering the container. Keep paint cans off of cement floors to help prevent the cans from rusting. Stacking paint cans on top of each other is a risky storage strategy; try a lidded box to prevent children and pets from accessing them. Unwanted oil-based products (paints, thinners, varnishes, etc.) will need to be stored until the District hazardous waste collections begin in the spring.
  
  
• Latex paint is not treated as a hazardous waste, so you don't need to store it for a collection. But liquid paint cannot be "thrown away;" it must be dried out first. If there's only a little paint in the can, leave the lid off to dry it out, or add some kitty litter to help speed up the drying process. If you have a lot of paint and it's been stored where it wouldn't freeze, reconsider disposal. Could you find another use for it? Are there any organizations or groups you belong to that might be able to put it to use? Reuse is a much better option than throwing good paint away.
  
  
• Fluorescent bulbs are a great energy-saver, but they contain mercury and care must be taken to prevent bulb breakage. Fluorescent bulbs should be packed for storage similar to the way they were when you bought them-protected from breakage and prevented from moving in their container. Wrap the bulb in newspaper or old bubble wrap and pack it in a box so it can't roll around.
  
  But please don't tape bulbs together! This can cause bulb breakage, and breaking a fluorescent bulb releases the mercury into the environment. Contact the District for information on how to clean up a broken bulb. If you have Internet access, see the VT Agency of Natural Resource Fluorescent Bulb Fact Sheet-www.mercvt.org/PDF/lampsheet.pdf-which covers proper handling, storage, disposal and broken bulb cleanup guidelines.
  
  For off-season recycling, please contact the District for options in your area.
  
  
• The District accepts used motor oil, crank case oil, diesel fuel, gear oil, hydraulic oil (non-PCB), kerosene, transmission oil, and #2 fuel oil at our Barre Town Recycling Depot and Northfield Recycling Depot. We also accept antifreeze at the Barre Town depot. All of these items are collected free of charge. Please call for more information.
  
  
• Small rechargeable batteries (less than 2 lbs. each) are accepted free of charge for recycling at the following District locations during regular hours: the CVSWMD Barre Town, Northfield, Bradford, and Hardwick Recycling Depots, and the District office at 137 Barre Street in Montpelier (office hours: 8-4). Rechargeable batteries include: Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd); Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion) , or Small (less than 2 lbs.) Sealed Lead (Pb) batteries. These types of batteries are commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, cameras and video cameras, and remote control toys.
  
  
• For automotive battery recycling, contact auto parts and service stations in your area; many will accept a few batteries at a time. If you have a larger number to recycle, contact the District for assistance.
  
  
• Unwanted fire extinguishers can be recycled-the powder is removed and the metal is recycled. Contact the District for a local recycling option. Note: To keep a fire extinguisher in ready working order, turn it over and tap it with a rubber mallet every few years. This will keep the powder loose.
  
  
• For smoke detector disposal, contact the manufacturer's toll-free number for instructions on how to mail them back for safe disposal. If you can't locate the manufacturer's phone number, contact the District for assistance.
  
  

Please contact the District with help with other hazardous waste questions and storage concerns. Call us at 802-229-9383 or 800-730-9475.