How is hazardous waste recycled? The recycling center has a hazardous waste facility where they take hazardous household chemicals such as paint and pesticides. Typically, one of two things will happen to...
Typically, one of two things will happen to household hazardous waste. Either it sits around, at a home or at a business, taking up valuable storage space, or it is improperly disposed of, which can harm the environment and pollute the air and water. Neither option is really appealing to someone with household hazardous waste in their possession. Luckily, there are some waste facilities that are glad to take your hazardous wastes off your hands and either make them reusable and redistribute them or properly dispose of them.
Tracy Herring, Supervisor for the City of Round Rock Environmental Services in Round Rock, Texas says, "We have a permanent household hazardous waste facility. We take chemicals, paints and pesticides, anything that is of a household nature that comes from a resident." Herring's facility is just one of thousands that is happy to take your hazardous wastes from you, and then it is their problem, not yours.
Some "waste" that facilities receive is actually still completely usable, and the facility will usually set that aside, repackage it and give it away to anyone who can use it. Herring's facility repackages a lot of items. They see a lot of latex paint and they give it back to the public to be reused. "About 50% of the material that comes in is latex paint. We box that into 55 gallon drums and mix it into a product that is called Round Rock Re-blend. We box that into 5 gallon buckets and we give that away to the public."
Reusing something is the highest form of recycling. A recycling center would like to first see materials reused, and then eventually recycled. Herring explains, "We take materials as they come in and determine if it has any value to it. If so, we have a reuse program. We give those items back to the public to anybody who wants them." And she means anybody. "You don't have to be a Round Rock resident to take advantage of that." It is better to use a viable product rather than unnecessarily dispose of it.
You should keep in mind that different facilities have the ability to take in different materials. Some can take in more, some less. Some can take materials from businesses, some only from private residents. Also, some only collect certain materials at certain times. Get in touch with your local facilities to find out their policies and collection schedules. A great way to find the facilities in your area is to visit www.earth911.org. Here, you enter your zip code and are given locations of recycling centers near you.
Items that are not reusable or recyclable will be properly disposed of by the facility in the least harmful way possible. Waste facilities have better technology and more resources than the average person. Putting hazardous waste into your curbside garbage is bad for the environment and may even affect your health. Also, if you are caught, you could face a hefty fine. It is a much better idea to let the professionals handle it.
