County will collect hazardous waste

Friday, March 12, 2010

The Calvert County Division of Solid Waste is hosting a household hazardous waste collection day at the Mt. Hope Community Center in Sunderland on Saturday, March 27, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. County residents will be able to dispose of their hazardous materials for free.

A licensed contractor will be at the community center to collect the waste from residents for proper disposal, according to a county release. Proof of residency is required and commercial haulers, businesses and institutions are prohibited.

Hazardous substances commonly found in households include oil-based paints, pool chemicals, solvents, fertilizers and other items labeled with the words: caution, warning, danger, poison or toxic. A substance is considered hazardous if it ignites easily, reacts or explodes when mixed with other substances or is corrosive or toxic. These materials should be separated from regular trash and disposed of in an environmentally friendly way, the release said. Latex paints are not hazardous, according to the county's Web site.

Residents may still drop off trash and recyclables at recycling centers and the Appeal landfill. The landfill and recycling centers also accept common hazardous materials year-round, including motor oil and filters, antifreeze, batteries and various types of light bulbs, county spokesman Mark Volland said. The hazardous waste collection days are the only time when residents can properly dispose of all their hazardous substances, Volland said.

The division holds hazardous waste collection days four times a year — one Saturday in March and September at the community center and one Saturday in June and November at the landfill.

For more information, call the division at 410-326-0201, or go to the county's Web site at www.co.cal.md.us.

jnewman@somdnews.com

Non-hazardous options

Households are filled with dangerous chemicals. Here are a few alternatives to some of the most common:

Air freshener: Simmer cloves and cinnamon in boiling water. Leave opened box of baking soda in room. Set out a dish of vinegar.

Chrome cleaner: Use baking soda and a dry cloth.

Drain opener: Use a plunger or mechanical snake. Pour half cup washing soda into drain, and then pour 2 cups boiling water into drain. Flush drain weekly with boiling water.

Furniture polish: Mix 2 parts vegetable oil and 1 part lemon juice. Apply, rub in, wipe clean.

Laundry presoak: Make paste of baking soda and water. Apply to dirty spots.

Metal cleaner: Make paste of salt, vinegar and flour. Start with a half cup of salt, add enough vinegar to dissolve, add flour to create a damp paste.

Porcelain cleaner: Make paste from baking soda and water. Apply to stain, let set, rub clean, rinse.

Septic system cleaner: Use professional service every two to three years. Chemical treatments don't work; some can actually harm your system.

Ant control: Mix 2 tablespoons boric acid, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 cup water. Soak paper towels, place on dishes, and set out for ants. Pour a line of cream of tartar where ants enter. Put a light coating of petroleum jelly around the base of your pet's feeding dish to keep ants out.

Carpet and upholstery cleaner: Clean stains immediately with club soda. Sprinkle cornstarch on rug and vacuum. Use soap-based, non-aerosol rug shampoo.

Flea and tick repellent: Scatter pine needles, fennel, rue or rosemary on pet's bed. Feed pet brewer's yeast, vitamin B or garlic tablets.

Insect spray for plants: Blend 6 cloves crushed garlic, 1 minced onion, 1 tablespoon dried hot pepper and 1 tablespoon pure soap in 1 gallon hot water. Let sit one to two days; strain and use.

Mothballs: Sew dried lavender or cedar chips into small cloth bags and place with clothes.

Multi-purpose cleaner: Mix half cup ammonia, 1/3 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 gallon of warm water.

Source: Calvert County Web site