Household Hazardous Waste
According to the EPA, each year Americans generate 1.6 million TONS of household hazardous waste, such as pesticides, cleaning products, automotive products and paint.
For many of these items, there are effective alternatives that are not only kinder to the environment but can even save you money!
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Helpful Hints
Here are some helpful hints regarding the chemical products you use at home:
- Do not pour waste down the storm sewer or down your drain. Storm sewers go directly to our rivers and lakes and impact water quality. Your household drains go to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and chemicals can affect the treatment processes. Oil poured on the ground can eventually find its way into the groundwater and also affect water quality.
- If the material is still usable, check with friends or neighbors to see if they might be able to use it.
- Empty containers, empty spray cans, and dried paint can be placed in the regular trash.
- Usable building materials may be donated to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. Call 765-0131 to find out whether what you have can be accepted.
- Think carefully about what you buy, and only buy as much as much as you can use.
- For more information on less toxic alternatives, call Solid Waste at 751-8538.
Limited drop-off of some items is available at Cobbs Recycling Center
The following items require a current City of Waco Water Bill showing garbage service, and a driver’s license with matching address. We can accept:
- Latex (water-based) paint (up to 5 gallons). Paint cans must be in good condition with readable labels.
- Used motor oil and oil filters (up to 5 gallons).
- We may be able to direct you to a disposal option for other items. Please call 751-8538 to find out.
Cobbs Recycling Center is open from Tuesday – Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Household Hazardous Waste Day
Each year, the City of Waco partners with other local communities to hold a Household Hazardous Waste Day. We are currently planning 2009’s Household Hazardous Waste Day for 2009 and will post the next event date here soon – watch this space!
Special thanks are in order to the folks who made Household Hazardous Waste Day 2008 a huge success. These people are working together to keep our communities clean. In no particular order they are:
- Participating residents of Waco, Woodway, Hewitt, Lorena and Robinson;
- The Habitat for Humanity ReStore ;
- Keep Waco Beautiful;
- The Waco Tribune-Herald;
- Sherwin-Williams Paint;
- Safety Kleen, Inc.;
- Oak Farm Dairy;
- City of Waco Recycling Advisory Committee;
- Heart of Texas Chapter, Texas Master Naturalist;
- MCC Environmental Science Classes;
- Woodway Beautiful Commission;
- City of Waco Fire, Street, Water Utilities, Facilities, and Traffic Departments;
- McLennan County Sheriff’s Office.
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