Central Florida Green Guide

I’ve been busy trying to clean all the closets and cabinets in a bid toward voluntary simplicity. Just as I was wondering what to do about my spouse’s computer graveyard, I got this flier. There’s just two more dates left for 2009.  If neither date/place works for you, you can take it over to the permanent locations.

Orange County Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Waste Community Collection Events Calendar Year 2009

You may be surprised to learn just how much household hazardous waste you have at home. Many household products contain dangerous chemicals that require special handling. If not properly disposed of, these chemicals can harm humans, animals and the environment. Burying these chemicals in the ground or pouring them down storm drains or sinks can result in groundwater pollution. Since most of Florida’s drinking water comes from groundwater, improper disposal of these chemicals poses a threat to Florida’s drinking water. To determine if a product may be hazardous, look for any of the following words on the label: Pesticide, Warning, Caustic, Poison, Acid, Danger or Flammable.

WHAT IS HAZARDOUS WASTE?

Household hazardous waste includes items such as:

• Paint
• Paint thinners and varnishes
• Batteries (except alkaline/non-rechargeable batteries)
• Used motor oil
• Antifreeze and brake fluid
• Household cleaning fluids
• Pool chemicals
• Propane tanks up to 100 pounds
• Pesticides
• Herbicides

LOCATIONS

These items are not collected in the curbside collection program. You may bring household hazardous waste to either of the following permanent locations:

• Orange County Landfill, 5901 Young Pine Rd., Orlando Monday through Sunday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
• McLeod Road Transfer Station, 5000 L.B. McLeod Rd., Orlando  Wednesdays and Saturdays, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  (This location does not accept electronic waste)

2009 EVENTS

DATE & TIME	LOCATION	ADDRESS
July 18, 2009 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.	Hunter’s Creek Town Hall	14101 Town Loop Blvd., Orlando
October 17, 2009 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.	Orange County Services Bldg.	1111 North Rock Springs Rd., Apopka

TIPS

Before taking your materials to either a permanent collection facility or a community collection event, please do the following:

• If the material is still usable, use it up.
• Label the material. If you do not know what the material is, label it “unknown.”
• Do not mix different or unknown materials together.
• If containers are leaking, pack them in a larger container with absorbent material, such as kitty litter, to soak up leaks.
• Use boxes with dividers for easy packaging and transport.
• Do not bring biologically active materials, radioactive materials, explosives, ammunition or tires.

MORE INFO

For more information, please call the Orange County Utilities Solid Waste Hotline at 407-836-6601.