Household Pollutants

You may not realize it, but your home is likely filled with all sorts of dangerous and hazardous pollutants. Many everyday products such as paint and lawn chemicals can be dangerous if used or stored improperly, and cause serious environmental damage if tossed in the trash or poured down the drain. Start off by learning safer alternatives to some products, and find out how to use, store and transport such products properly. Most importantly, when done with them, bring your pollutants to the The M.e.t.'s twice-annual Household Pollution Collection Event.

Items accepted include: household cleaners, pesticides, fertilizers, automotive fluids, cooking oil, batteries, all fluorescent light bulbs, small ammunition, smoke alarms, aerosol paint, hobby paint, pool chemicals, items containing mercury and unused or out of date prescription medications.

Items NOT accepted at the event include latex paint, tires, computers, radioactive waste and commercial waste. To dispose of latex paint, remove the lid and let paint completely dry. Place cans of dry paint next to regular residential trash for pick up.

Transport pollutants to the event in the trunk of a car or the bed of a pick up truck. Wear gloves while handling pollutants. To deliver items, enter the fairgrounds from 15th Street at Gate 7. Trained volunteers will remove pollutants from vehicles.

While you can take batteries, oil, and antifreeze to the Household Pollutant Collection Event, there's no need to wait in line if this is all you have. These products, along with recyclables such as paper, plastic, glass and aluminum, can be taken seven days a week to one of the area M.e.t. Recycling depots. For locations or hours, click here.

Keep substances in original container and make sure label is attached.
If the container starts to leak, enclose it in a larger container, clearly labeled.
Maintain a list of stored hazardous products with name of product and date of purchase.
Most items should be stored in a cool, dry place, but read label for instructions.
Keep incompatible chemical products separated.
For example, accidentally mixed HTH chlorine and motor oil can cause a fire.
Periodically check containers for deterioration.

Wear gloves and use caution when handling substances
Place pollutants in the trunk or as far away from passengers as possible.
Do not smoke while handling or transporting chemicals.
Do not remove the materials from your car once you arrive at the collection facility.
A worker will remove them for you.

There are safer -- and usually cheaper -- alternatives to many products, such as these easy and effective cleaning substitutes:

Wood polish: Mixture of one teaspoon lemon oil to one pint vegetable or mineral oil.
No-wax floors: Vinegar and water or ammonia and water
Wood floors: Oil soap or soap and water.
Rug deodorizer: Baking soda, or two parts cornmeal to one part Borax (let sit an hour before vacuuming).
Mothballs: Substitute dried lavender or cedar shavings.
Metal cleaners:

For aluminum, use lemon juice. Rub and rinse, or soak overnight in vinegar and water;
For stainless steel, use baking soda paste;
For copper, use ketchup or lemon juice and salt;
For gold, use a warm soap and water mixture;
For chrome, use vinegar;
For brass, use salt, flour and vinegar mixture;
For silver, mix 1.5 quarts of hot water, a half tablespoon of baking soda, a half tablespoon of salt, and soak in aluminum pan lined with aluminum foil, polish with cloth.

Sink, tub and tile: Scour with baking soda or Borax.
Disinfectants: Borax or vinegar.
Chlorine bleach: White vinegar, baking soda, Borax, or non-chlorine bleach.

Disposing of Household Pollutants