Garage Cleaning Disposal Tips

You may think of your garage primarily as a place to park your car or do DIY projects. But did you know that untold hazards lurk in its corners or on its storage shelves? When cleaning out the garage (or house), these household chemicals (and products that contain them) require special care to handle and dispose of them safely. Hazardous household waste can include any product that is (or can be):

• Poisonous
• Flammable
• Explosive
• Can react with other chemicals
• Can corrode other materials

Paints, Stains, and Thinners

The best way to prepare for paint disposal is to use up as much as possible. It doesn’t matter if it’s water- or oil-based; paints, stains, and thinners can be toxic and should not be simply thrown away. After using up as much of the paint as you can, leave the container to dry out any that remains and then you can recycle the can as scrap metal. Take extra care with aerosols—the pressurized can could explode (even inside a garbage truck!), so take them to a hazardous waste collection site.

Vehicle Fluids and Parts

Many of the products that keep our cars on the road can also be dangerous to keep around or dispose of. Many local auto shops are equipped to recycle fluids like motor oil and coolant. Kitty litter is even a recommended option for drying out brake fluid and other solvents. Batteries and tires must also be recycled, and mechanics and parts stores can assist with these services.

Lawn and Garden Supplies

Grass may be greener… after a little fertilizer and pest-control, but keeping these products around or trying to get rid of leftovers is nothing to joke about. Use up or give away fertilizer, rather than disposing of it. But for pesticides, it’s best to leave disposal to the hazardous waste collection professionals.

Also in your yard, pool chemicals should be properly used up, or disposed of with the help of your local hazardous waste collection site.

Household and Workshop

Beyond the garage, any of these items can pose a danger to your household or the environment if not disposed of properly:

• Cleaners
• Light bulbs
• Mercury thermometers
• Plastic bags
• Cooking oils and grease
• Electronics
• Medicines

Follow the advice and regulations of your municipality when cleaning chemicals out your garage or home. Requirements vary by region, but are usually well-documented on local government websites, or can be verified by phone.

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection
• Nassau County (FL) Solid Waste Management Department
• City of Jacksonville (FL) Household Hazardous Waste Guidelines
• Georgia Recycling Coalition
• US EPA Household Hazardous Waste Guidelines