Orleans, Eastham schedule household hazardous products collection

September 8, 2006

A household hazardous products collection and mercury devices exchange for Orleans and Eastham residents will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Orleans Highway and Department of Public Works Garage, Bay Ridge Lane, off Route 6A.

Residents are urged to take advantage of this free opportunity to dispose of hazardous and toxic materials that can harm family members and pets, and contaminate groundwater, lakes, ponds and soil in the event of a hurricane or other emergency. Small businesses may participate at cost.

Residents should bring the following materials to the collection:

*Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, outdated pesticides, DDT, chlordane, silvex), Pentawood preservatives, rodent poisons, "No Pest" strips, and flea collars;

*Gasoline, brake and power steering fluids, radiator flush, white wall cleaner, bug and tar remover;

*Furniture Polish, Metal Polish, Moth Balls, Drain Cleaners, Spot Removers, Solvents, Cesspool Cleaners;

* Lead Paints, Marine Paints, Auto Paints, other Solvent-based Paints;

* Solvent-based paint thinners and strippers, turpentine, mineral spirits, acetone, solvent-based wood finishes, varnish, shellac, wood preservatives;

* Photo and pool chemicals, chemistry sets, acids;

* Thermostats, switches, thermometers and other mercury-containing devices.

Residents who bring mercury-containing thermometers, thermostats, switches, blood pressure gauges and jars of mercury to the collection will receive a digital thermometer or a beverage coupon in exchange. Mercury is always silver, so keep your thermometers that have red, green or blue liquid.

Latex and acrylic paints, water-based stains and wood finishes are not hazardous.

Residents should dry out latex and acrylic paints, stains and wood finishes before going to the Orleans collection site. These products can be cleaned up with soap and water; check the label for cleanup information. To dry out latex and acrylic paint products, pour the paint into a box or bucket of cat litter to absorb the moisture. Throw away the cat litter in household trash and recycle the empty paint cans and lids.

The following materials can be recycled at your town's recycling center:

Used oil and oil filters, spent antifreeze, lead-acid, nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH), lithium ion (Li-ion) and small sealed lead (Pb) rechargeable batteries; fluorescent bulbs, empty fire extinguishers, empty propane gas cylinders, empty paint and aerosol cans, lids, and other empty containers.

The following items are not accepted: alkaline batteries (throw in household trash), smoke detectors (place in cardboard box, tape shut, dispose of in household trash), flares (take to the fire department for disposal), syringes, needles and (bring to fire department); explosives, ammunition and fireworks (call the police department for disposal information); and loose asbestos (check with a licensed contractor for removal).

Residents will need a current beach or dump sticker, driver's license, vehicle registration or property tax bill with a local address for identification.

Residents who have questions may call the Barnstable County Hazardous Materials Program at 800-319-2783 or 508-375-6699 or check the website at www.capecodextension.org/home.php.

Source: The Cape Codder, www2.townonline.com