I have an extremely large bag of old batteries I've been collecting over the years. It is the graveyard for all of the AA and AAA stalwarts that have powered my children's toys to fill our home with lights and sounds much akin to a world war at times. But alas, each one has their time and I respectfully lay them to rest in the bag I keep above our microwave, fully aware not to dispose of them in the garbage but not much else. And that is where they've remained. I thought it was time to find out what I can finally do with that bag of batteries and other hazardous household material. Any Oro Valley resident can drop off hazardous materials at a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Center. Hazardous waste are any products labeled toxic, danger, poison, flammable, etc. These are potentially harmful to people, pets and the environment. They should never be poured down the drain or disposed of in a regular garbage.
These items include:
- Automotive Fluids
- Engine Oil Filters
- Auto Batteries
- Rechargeable Batteries (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Li-ion, Pb)
- Small Button Batteries Lithium Batteries
- Cleaning Products
- Drain Openers
- Cooking Oil
- Mercury Containing Products
- Fluorescent Lamps
- Paint Products
- Solvents
- Hobby Chemicals
- Pesticides Lawn and Garden Products
- Pool Chemicals
- Propane Cylinders
- Computer Equipment Printer Cartridges
- Items Labeled: Acid, Flammable, Caustic, Poison, Caution, Toxic, Danger or Warning
NOT ACCEPTED AT HHW CENTER:
- Televisions Business or Commercial Wastes
- Commercial Gas Cylinders
- Explosives or Ammunition
- Infectious and Radioactive Waste
- Medical waste such as sharps, syringes or old medications.
Facilities are located at 10220 W. Tangerine Road (Tangerine Road Landfill) or 14425 N. Oracle Road (Catalina Transfer Station). They are open daily from 7:30 a.m. -3:00 p.m.
The program is free to residents of the City of Tucson and unincorporated Pima County. Residents from Marana, Oro Valley and Sahuarita will be charged a $5 fee. To be eligible to drop off materials, verification of address is required, preferably a driver’s license or other documents showing permanent residency.
So there, Oro Valley residents, now you can assist in protecting the environment by proper disposal of hazardous wastes. And I can finally place my fallen stalwarts to their final resting place.
Want to learn more?
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Heather Nenadovich has lived in Oro Valley a total of five years. She has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Arizona. Her husband is Canadian so she is a hockey fan by default and so are her two very clever children. When not being a mommy, she enjoys hiking in Catalina State Park, hand building pottery, and gardening. Her favorite things about living in Oro Valley are the towns recognition of art and culture, their commitment to preserving nature and the Christmas parade. (Also anything from GMG Chinese Bistro.)
1 comment:
Heather, I manage the City of Tucson HHW program and would like to supplement the information you provided. Alkaline batteries can safely be disposed of in the trash. They do not need to go to HHW. Rechargeable batteries are accepted at HHW and should ever be disposed of in the trash.
The City of Tucson no longer supports the collection site outside the City of Tucson Limits. Beginning July 1, 2014, Pima County withdrew it's funding from the
program. As such, the City had to reduce its efforts outside the City.
The Main Collection site is open to non City residents at a cost of
$10.00 per visit. When available, paint will be sold to non City residents at a cost of $20/5 gals non-white and $25/5 gals for white.
Please contact The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality for a list of acceptable materials and collection sites outside Tucson's City limits.
http://webcms.pima.gov/government/environmental_quality/
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