Household Hazardous Waste

Kalkaska Household Hazardous Waste Collection, July 20

By Marilyn Shy, Kalkaska Conservation District

The next Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day for Kalkaska County will be held Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Kalkaska Middle School. The event will begin at 9:00 am, and end at 1:00 pm, or until the semi is full. First 50 pounds will be accepted free from Kalkaska County residents. Proof of residence such as a tax bill, water bill or driver’s license is required.

Household hazardous waste (HHW) includes products we purchase and use in our home that contain materials that can harm us or the environment. Common products that are HHW include cleansers, pesticides, paint and stains, but there are many others.  Look for words such as ‘warning’, ‘caution’, ‘flammable’, ‘toxic’, ‘poison’ on the labels of products to determine if they are HHW. Many of these products may be partially used, then stored in your home, basement, or garage. The best option is to use all of the product in a container as it was intended. However, if you have left over materials, it is best to take them to a HHW collection site instead of sending them to a landfill. This will help protect both your family and the environment.

Here is a short list of items that will be accepted at the HHW Collection:

  • Garden and Yard: fertilizers, fungicide, herbicide, pesticides.

  • Cleaning Solvents: dry cleaner solutions, floor and furniture polish, oven cleaner, rust remover, silver or metal polish.

  • Paint Products: deck stain; driveway sealer; oil, latex and lead paint; paint stripper, turpentine.

  • Car Fluids: antifreeze, brake fluid, car wax, diesel fuel, fuel oil (no tanks), gasoline, transmission fluid.

  • Other Products: fluorescent light bulbs, household batteries, lighter fluid, mercury thermometers, pool chemicals.

Please note:

  • Dried latex paint is safe to throw away.

  • Auto parts stores accept used oil at any time.

  • Kalkaska County Recycling Center accepts household, marine and auto batteries at any time.

For more information, or for a complete list of items that will be accepted, call the Kalkaska Conservation District at (231) 258-3307 or view the event listing here.