REDUCE YOUR USE
Household Hazardous Waste
Products, (such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides) that contain potentially hazardous ingredients require special care when you dispose of them. Disposal options include reduction, recycling and lastly disposal. Proper disposal prevents pollution that could endanger human and environmental health.
- Buy products with natural ingredients or better yet make your own non-toxic cleaning solutions.
- Only buy what you will use in a reasonable amount of time.
- Store product according to manufactures directions so it doesn’t get ruined.
Recycle / Disposal
Chemicals, cleaners, oils and other hazardous waste should never be poured down drains (including storm drains), toilets, or on the ground. Federal law allows residents to dispose of hazardous waste in the trash. However, participation in hazardous waste collection events is strongly encouraged. This allows for hazardous materials to be recycled when possible and disposed of safely when recycling isn’t an option.
Any resident of Delaware, Knox, Marion or Morrow counties can participate in any program held by the DKMM District (Delaware, Knox, Marion, and Morrow Counties). For Household Hazardous Waste collection information, please refer this link DKMM HHW Collections. Each year, collections begin in April and end in September.
For immediate disposal needs, Environmental Enterprises, Inc., 645 East 8th Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43201 is also an option. It is recommended to contact EEI for details on hours and applicable fees at (614) 294-1300.
LATEX PAINT is not hazardous, it is more of a nuisance than anything. We strongly encourage you to dry latex paint in the can. If you add enough drying agent, the paint will dry very quickly.
DRY OUT YOUR OLD PAINT OPTION: The paint must be dry (no longer a liquid) before it can be placed in the trash. In order to speed up the drying process, you can remove the lid (in a well-ventilated area) and then add a binder such as kiddy litter, sawdust, shredded paper, purchased paint hardener, or another absorbent. Once the paint is dry and no longer a liquid, leave the lid off the can and place into the trash. View the DKMM Paint Disposal Flyer for more information.
LATEX PAINT COLLECTION DAY, 2024
DKMM does accept a small amount of latex paint at our hazardous waste collection sites as a convenience. However, for those of you that still find yourself with a few cans of paint that are too full and too many to dry out, bring it to our latex only paint collection event. The collection will be held on Saturday, October 5th from 9 am - noon at the Morrow County Fairgrounds. A $2/can recycling fee will be collected. This event is for Residents only and strictly enforces a 10 can per vehicle limit. Further details can be found at DKMM.org.
Alternative cleaner to HHW products
All-Purpose Cleaner
- 1/2 tsp. washing soda
- A dab of liquid soap
- 2 cups hot tap water
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge.
