The Lisle-Woodridge
Fire District receives calls
from residents throughout the year requesting information on
what to do with Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). Household
hazardous waste includes any discarded household product that
contains toxic, corrosive, explosive or flammable substances.
Paints, stains, cleaning solvents, automotive fluids and
fertilizers are among the most common examples of HHW. These
potentially hazardous household products pose little threat when
stored or used according to directions on the label. However,
when improperly managed and/or disposed in the regular garbage,
these hazardous substances can leak into the ground or dissipate
into the air causing a dangerous risk to people, wildlife and
the surrounding environment.
Because of its potentially
dangerous character, HHW should be handled with caution. “I
applaud the people who are concerned enough to take the time to
make a phone call and get some information, rather than just
throwing the product out with the regular garbage.” says
Lt.
Jay Caron, Public Educator of the Fire Prevention Bureau. Extra
care should be taken to manage HHW in a safe and environmentally
friendly manner. Listed below are some important steps for the
proper and safe management of HHW:
1)
Try and “use up” any new or
leftover household products. Remember to follow the
instructions on the label. Any unused products should be stored
in a secure area away from children or pets. Store household
products in an area where they will not freeze.
2)
If you can’t “use up” leftover
products, find someone who will. Friends, neighbors and
relatives can be great outlets for unwanted yet usable household
products.
3)
Research recycling
opportunities. Various types of household products such as
automobile batteries, motor oil and antifreeze are being
recovered and recycled by DuPage businesses. For a list of
potential recycling opportunities, contact the DuPage County
Solid Waste Department at (630) 682-7373.
4)
Don’t “hide” HHW in your
garbage. Hazardous materials hidden in garbage containers may
result in serious accidents or injuries during waste
collection.
5)
Do not pour leftover hazardous
products into storm sewers or onto the ground. Releasing
hazardous materials directly into the environment causes serious
pollution.
As a last resort, bring your HHW
products to the permanent HHW collection facility in DuPage
County located in the City of Naperville. There is no charge
for disposal of materials.
The lists below identify
materials that are accepted and not accepted at DuPage County
HHW collections.
ACCEPTABLE
MATERIAL
(Only residentially generated wastes are acceptable):
Acids, thermostats, motor oil,
fertilizer, car batteries, household batteries, pool chemicals,
cleaning solvents, latex based paints, poisons, wood stain &
varnish, used automotive fluids, fluorescent light ballasts,
insecticides, pesticides, fluorescent light bulbs, oil based
paints and mercury thermometers.
UNACCEPTABLE MATERIAL:
Fireworks,
agricultural wastes, propane tanks, lead acid batteries, regular
garbage, ammunition, smoke detectors, medical waste, business
waste, explosives, radioactive material and fire extinguishers. For these items, please contact Aurora Tri-State at 630-978-0600.
For information on additional
HHW Collection Events or the permanent Household Hazardous Waste
Facility, please call the HHW Hotline at (630) 510-2810.
For information on any fire
prevention and public education activity offered by the
Lisle-Woodridge
Fire District, please contact Lt.
Jay Caron at 630-353-3030.
