Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
Household hazardous waste can adversely affect everyone's quality of life. That's why it is important to properly dispose of these items. Wake County operates permanent collection centers on a year-round basis for all Wake County residents to drop off hazardous materials. The centers are located at the closed North Wake Sanitary Landfill off of Durant Road and at the South Wake Municipal Solid Waste Landfill off Highway 55 between Apex and Holly Springs. The North Wake collection center is currently open from 8 a.m.until 4 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month. The South Wake collection center is currently open from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the third Saturday of every month. You may call Wake County directly at 856.7400 for more information.
NOTE: Beginning July 1, 2009 both HHW facilities will be open six days a week providing residents with easy access to disposal of these harmful materials! For more information call Wake County Environmental Services at 856.7400 or visit their web site.
Hazard Properties:
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Toxic - can cause injury or death if swallowed, absorbed, or inhaled.
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Flammable - can be ignited by a flame, spark, ignition source or hot surface under almost all temperature conditions.
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Corrosive - a chemical or its vapors that can burn or destroy living tissues at the site of contact, and deteriorate or wear away the surface of a material.
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Explosive - violently bursting when exposed to pressure or heat.
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Some of the materials accepted include:
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Acids
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Florescent light bulbs
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Photographic chemicals
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Adhesives
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Gasoline/
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Poisons
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Aerosol cans
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Household cleaners
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Pool chemicals
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Antifreeze
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Household polishes
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Power steering fluid
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Batteries, automotive
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Herbicides
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Propane tanks
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Batteries, household
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Kerosene
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Solvents
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Brake fluid
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Mercury thermometers
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Stains & thinners
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CFLs -compact florescent
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Motor oil/oil filters
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Transmission fluid
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Disinfectants
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Paints - oil based only*
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Wiper fluid
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Fire extinguishers
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Pesticides
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Wood preservatives
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* Latex paints are not considered hazardous waste and can safely be put in the garbage as long as they are completely dry or solidified first. If the can is 1/4 or less full, opening the lid and setting it in the sun for a day should do the trick. For cans over 1/4 full, mix with kitty litter, sawdust, sand or dirt (50/50 ratio), again allowing to completely dry. The lid should be left off when putting the paint can and dried matter in the garbage. Full, unopened cans of paint are accepted at the Wake Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Avoid having left over paint by purchasing only the amount you need and using what's left for smaller projects like dog houses, closets, storage sheds, etc.
Did you know that each year do-it-yourself oil changers improperly dump more oil than the tanker Exxon Valdez spilled into Alaska's Prince William Sound?
When making purchases of these types of products, read the labels and choose the one with the least amount of toxicity, or use alternative item that you may already have at home.
Remember to take advantage of this facility to make your home and the environment safer!
For More Information Contact:
Linda A. Leighton
Waste Reduction Specialist
Solid Waste Services Department
400 West Peace Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
919-996-6890
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