STASH THAT HAZARDOUS TRASH SAFELY
March 31st, 2009 categories: Market Trends
Most of us assume that our environmental toxic waste is mostly the fault of big anonymous corporations. And this is true. The Environmental Protection Agency says that 1.6 million tons of hazardous waste is discarded by American households each year. Here are a few suggestions for us average citizens that will help us dispose of our haz mats safely.
- Batteries. Most Walgreen stores in the Chicago area accept batteries at their photo counters. Additionally Chicago public libraries and some alderman’s offices (online at egov.cityof chicago.org) have bins for battery disposal.
- Paint. Chicago’s Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility has a paint exchange. They will accept your paint (latex only) and give you paint other people have turned in.
- Ink Cartridges. Many Walgreen stores, and some office supply stores will refill ink cartridges. If you just want to get rid of the cartridges, go to Recycle Tech Solutions (recycletech.org)-they sell them to a company that re-purposes them.
- Electronics. Think about donating your old computer. Many charities and schools gladly accept such donations. Chicago Public Schools takes donations at its center, 3053 North Knox Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Recycle Tech Solutions, recycletech.org, or 773-821-9700, will buy old cell phones and donate the money to the charity of your choice. Another solution is to take the old electronics to a Household Hazardous Waste location.
- Medications. Unused and expired medications have found their way into our drinking water because most people feel that just flushing them down the toilet is a great way to get rid of them. Only five police stations have drop-off bins so maybe the easiest way find a safe way to get rid of the medications is to go the city’s recycling site. egov.cityof chicago.org/recycling.
- Fluorescent bulbs have mercury–enough to be hazardous. Take your burned out bulbs to an Ace Hardware or Home Depot. The mercury is contained if the bulb is intact.
- HHW. Hazardous Household Waste is anything that contains corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients such as point, cleaners or pesticides. Some facilities are open year round. In Chicago, the Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility at 1150 North Branch Street has hours several days a week–7:00 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. the first Saturday of every month.
The earth belongs to all of us–just a little care will help make it more environmentally sound.
If you have questions about Chicago real estate, please call me at 312-981-2306 or e-mail me.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 1:18 pm and is filed under Market Trends. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
