Chesterton Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Nears

recycleThe 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 household hazardous waste collection event scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 7, 2012, at Westchester Intermediate School, 1050 South 5th Street, Chesterton.

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission also will be on hand to present new environmentally friendly 2.5-gallon gas cans to residents who bring in their old gas cans for disposal at the collection. Limit one new gas can per vehicle/family, while supplies last.

HHW items accepted at this collection event include aerosols; anti-freeze; oil; batteries (household and automotive); corrosives; medications; mercury containing products (fluorescent tubes, CFLs, thermometers, thermostats, etc.); paint, thinners and solvents; pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and other poisons; diesel fuel, gasoline, kerosene, other flammable liquids; ammunition and expired medications.

Explosives, asbestos, grill propane cylinders, containers larger than 30 gallons, commercial hazardous waste and radioactive materials (like smoke detectors) will not be accepted.

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.