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The waste collection is not available
locally as frequently as might be convenient to most homeowners. It
is done only by state sanctioning and coordination. Counties
applying to host a collection are put on a years-long waiting list.
So don't delay and hope to wait for the next collection. It could be
a while.
The collection is sponsored by the
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and local sponsors are the
Logan County Health Department and the Logan County Emergency
Planning Committee.
According to the EPA, this is their
listing of acceptable waste: oil-based paints, paint thinners,
herbicides, insecticides, other pesticides, old gasoline, pool
chemicals, cleaning products, mercury, household batteries, used
motor oil, drain cleaners, lawn chemicals, solvents, antifreeze,
hobby chemicals, aerosol paints and pesticides, and fluorescent lamp
bulbs.
The description of the collection says
it all. It's a household hazardous waste collection. Things
you cannot bring are agricultural wastes, business and commercial
sector wastes, explosives, fireworks, lead acid batteries, medical
wastes, propane tanks, smoke detectors, farm machinery oil, fire
extinguishers, or institutional wastes.
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As for latex paint, please don't bring
it to the collection. Latex (water-based paint) has a very low level
of toxicity. Disposal alternatives include the following:
1. Use it up as paint. You can put
another coat on a wall, paint a new project or paint an old piece of
cardboard to use it up.
2. Add an absorbent to the leftover
paint to dry it out. You can use kitty litter, oil dry, sawdust or
about anything that will absorb moisture.
3. Store it for later. To properly
store small amounts of paint, cover the opened can with plastic
wrap, secure the lid over the plastic wrap and store the can upside
down (to make sure there is an airtight seal).
Opened, empty, dry paint cans are
acceptable for your waste hauler to take.
Requests for
further information should be directed to Kathy Waldo at the Logan
County Health Department, 735-2317.
[News release and LDN]
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