When you roll open the garage door on Saturday morning to clean and organize the garage, be ready to stumble onto a few hazardous materials like half-empty paint cans, old tires and used motor oil.
So what are you supposed to do with all that stuff?
Hazardous materials may have strict rules when it comes to a safe disposal process. Your local tip or council will advise further on this.
Used oil from just one oil change can contaminate one million gallons of freshwater, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Don’t dump used engine oil into the grass or bushes. Instead, drop it off at your city’s hazardous waste facility, which are often required to take used oil to recycle for a small fee.
Different types of glass have different melting points and unmelted glass can clog up recycling machines. Mirrors, window and decorative glass need to be wrapped in paper for trash collectors’ safety and placed in bags. Donate vases, crystal and other glass items to second-hand stores.
Antifreeze will kill your pets if they lap it up, and it’s a regulated hazardous waste. Don’t pour it onto your grass, down the drain or into your septic system. Take used antifreeze to your local waste disposal facility.
Car batteries, which contain toxic lead that can contaminate groundwater, are easy to recycle. Some companies charge a small fee on battery purchases that you receive back when you return the dead battery. You can also check your local motor company websites for a drop-off location.
You’ll need to take half-empty latex and oil paint cans to your local hazardous items disposal facility. However, if the paint is all dried up and there’s only residue in the can, it’s okay to put it in your green bin. If you have full cans of paint speak with your local tip for more information.
When cleaning up rodent waste, wear a HEPA mask (sold at most hardware stores) to avoid inhaling contaminated dust. We also advise to wear latex or other protective gloves.
There are regulations and programs for used tyre disposal. The government will recommend disposing of used or scrap tires through bulky item pickup collections or taking them to a waste management facility.
If you don’t want to take unwanted bottles of cleaning solution or half-empty aerosol cans to your local waste facility, you can always post an ad on Facebook, Gumtree or local forums where they may come in useful for a local person.
For any other materials that may require safe storage, our team are able to assist. Contact our Bradford storage facility today on 01274 975 678.
If you any other questions, please feel free to call us or drop in for a chat.
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