If a hazardous product is not used up entirely, it becomes a hazardous waste. Then we have a disposal problem. Individuals can tell if a product is hazardous by the words caution, warning, danger or poison on the label, Bonner said. To provide homeowners an opportunity to dispose of household hazardous wastes, the MDEQ offers a grant program to communities that are willing to host a collection event. The one-day event is held by the host community for homeowners to bring and dispose of household hazardous wastes, including paints, used oil, pesticides and drain cleaners.
Most events allow individuals to bring old tires and used car batteries.
Most of the hazardous waste material can be recycled, including used car batteries and oil, paints and some flammable materials, Peacock said. Good paints are given to organizations for use in projects and unusable paints are burned as a fuel additive. The MDEQ hosts 18 to 20 such events each year in the state. Recommendations on this web site do not endorse any commercial products or trade names.