The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County will help Porter County residents safely dispose of their old pesticides, gasoline, CFLs and other products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients at the last household hazardous waste collection event of the year. The collection is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Portage High School, 6450 U.S. 6.
HHW items accepted at this collection event include aerosol cans; anti-freeze; oil; batteries (household and automotive); corrosives; medications; mercury containing products (fluorescent tubes, CFLs, thermometers, thermostats, etc.); oil-based and latex paint, thinners and solvents; pesticides and other poisons; diesel fuel, kerosene, other flammable liquids; and ammunition.
Explosives, asbestos, grill propane cylinders, containers larger than 30 gallons, commercial hazardous waste, controlled substances and radioactive materials, such as smoke detectors, will not be accepted at this event.
Staff from the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission will be on hand to present a very limited supply of 2.5 gallon CARB gas cans to residents who turn in their old ones. Cans are available on a first-come, first-served basis; limit one new gas can per car/family.
Improper disposal of household hazardous wastes can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or in some cases putting them out with the trash, which can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health.
For more information on household hazardous waste collection events in Porter County, call the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County, 465-3694, or visit www.ItMeansTheWorld.org.
Unused medications are also accepted any time at the following police departments: Valparaiso, 355 S. Washington St.; Chesterton, 790 Broadway; Portage, 2693 Irving St.; Hebron, 106 East Sigler St. (only available Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) -- no liquids or metal nasal spray bottles; and Porter, 50 Francis St. -- no liquids or liquid capsules.
Household batteries can be recycled anytime at a number of places throughout Porter County. Visit the district website for a listing.
Fluorescent tube lights and CFLs can be recycled at either Porter County public compost site: Valparaiso, 2150 W. Lincolnway, Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; or Boone Grove, 546 S. 400 W., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, noon-5 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The City of Hobart accepts latex paint donations from Porter County residents at its Department of Public Works site, 340 S. Shelby St., Mondays through Fridays, between 7 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.; and Saturdays, between 8 and 11:45 a.m.
The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County is a government agency dedicated to improving the environment and quality of life for Porter County residents by providing convenient, voluntary waste reduction programs.