Messy, cluttered garages are completely harmless when they’re filled with old clothes and toys, but not when they’re filled with hazardous materials! Two of the most common hazardous materials found in garages are paint and unused or used motor oil. They can pose significant threats to your family and to the environment if they’re not stored or disposed of properly. Here are the basics on how to safely manage these chemicals in your home:
Paint is great for giving your house a makeover and brightening up a room, but it also creates toxic fumes and if improperly disposed can pose an environmental hazard. The Environmental Protection Agency lists paint as one of its top five environmental hazards, highlighting that despite how common paint is, it should be handled and disposed of with care. Here are some tips on how to store and dispose of your old paint properly:
- Save it for later: To save paint for future use, you should keep it in its original container, put plastic wrap over the paint lid and hammer the lid shut. Keep stored paintaway from children and pets and in a cool place.
- Retail Recycling: If the paint is no longer of use, you can take it to a local household hazardous waste facility, or local hardware stores like Orchard Supply Hardware or Kelly-Moore will accept paint for recycling.
Used motor oil left in the garage can contain harmful heavy metals like magnesium, copper, zinc and other chemicals known to cause cancer. Yet, many of us keep containers of used oil in jugs to be hauled off for recycling at a later time. To avoid any harm to yourself or the environment here is what you need to know:
- Storing: Keep used motor oil in a clean, leak-proof jug or bottle and store it in a safe, cool place in your garage. Do not mix motor oil with other liquids like antifreeze – once it is mixed it cannot be recycled!
- Disposal: To recycle your motor oil you can visit your local HHW facility or search for a certified used oil collection center, which are usually auto supply or repair stores. These locations will safely recycle your motor oil.
As part of our FlowsToBay Challenge we are encouraging you to drop off your HHW items to your local HHW or other outlets. For a complete list of regular HHW drop-off times please click here.
To register for an HHW drop off complete the following steps:
- Set up an appointment here or call (650) 363-4718, select option 3.
- Load up to 50 pounds or 10 gallons worth of material.
- Drop off your materials at the HHW center. The facility crew will take your materials directly from your trunk!
We hope this information will help keep your garage a safe place for your family and the environment!
