trash talk
This month we have a Trash Talk guest columnist. Julie Kennedy, Clay Co. HHW Coordinator would like to encourage residents to dispose of their household chemicals properly.
If you are planning a move or cleaning out an estate, to help protect the environment, yourself, and others, please remember the tips below.
Storing and Disposal of Chemicals
· Always store chemicals and paints in their original containers.
· Make sure that the packaging is tightly closed or sealed to avoid spillage.
· Store chemicals in a safe, dry, cool, frost-free location out of direct sunlight and out of reach of children and pets.
· Never pour chemical down the drain or any other water drainage system
· Empty chemical containers should be rinsed three times adding the washings to the final spray solution. The empty container can then be placed in household waste.
· Empty or completely dried paint containers can be place in trash with lids off.
· If product is no longer useable, or needed, it should be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility in your county.
· When taking chemicals and paint to a waste disposal facility, ensure that containers are carefully sealed and clearly labeled with the name and active ingredient of the product. Do not mix different chemicals.
Clay County residents may take their chemicals such as garden chemicals, paints, adhesives, solvents, used oil/filters, fluorescent bulbs and household cleaners to the Clay County Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 2729 Hwy 10 E, Moorhead, MN on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8am to 4pm. April through October the facility is also open the first Saturday of the month from 8am-noon. This service is provided free to Clay County residents.
If you live outside Clay County contact your local county environmental department for your location and hours. Clay County residents please call 218 299-5077 with questions.
Julie Kennedy, Clay County Household Hazardous Waste Coordinator