Save the Date for the 2023 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day!
The event is limited to Kalkaska County Residents only (proof of residency is required via driver’s license, water bill, tax bill, etc). Appointments are highly encouraged for the 2023 collection event. This is to streamline the process of drop-off and to ensure an even flow of traffic which will allow us to accept more items.
Appointments can be made online (button below) or by calling the office at (231) 258-3307. Please note that this link will be live exactly one month prior to the event. Please limit one time slot per household.
Accepted items: Fertilizer, pesticides, cleaning solvents, automotive fluids, oil/latex/lead paint, turpentine, mercury, nail polish/remover, pool chemicals, batteries, and MUCH MORE. You name the chemical, our vendor will take it! Please no electronics.
Drop off details:
Drive up to the main entrance of the Kalkaska Middle School, this entrance is off of West Kalkaska Street and is a circle drive.
Staff will greet you and check you in.
If you have a large number of items, a donation is greatly appreciated. It helps us be able to host a bigger and better collection event in the future and off-sets the costs of the increased materials being brought in.
Please have items in the trunk or bed of a truck and easily accessible. Sometimes items in cardboard boxes make this process easier.
IF you have mercury, please contact us about how to transport it!! It should be in a sealed plastic or glass container, not just in a cardboard box. It can be impossible to contain if the container is broken.
Staff and volunteers will take the items from your vehicle.
Then you are free to go about the rest of your day knowing the materials you brought will be disposed of properly and not leak into our beautiful rivers and forests.
Looking to get rid of some items sooner? Here is a short list of some options for where to take them:
Dried latex paint is safe to throw in the regular trash bin and can be sent to the landfill. Once it is dry, there is no way to recycle it back into new paints. Companies will often remix colors and donate to Habitat for Humanities projects.
Used motor oil can often be taken to car parts stores like O’Reileys and Auto Zone to be recycled for free. The Kalkaska County Road Commission will also take oil to use the garage heaters.
Fire extinguishers can be taken to Summit Fire Protections in Traverse City, MI.
Please contact our office if you have any questions about the event, (231) 258-3307.
Event Photos from Prior Years
