FAQs • Hamilton County, IN • CivicEngage

How do I Dispose of Household Batteries ?: Over the years, regulations were enacted to eliminate the use of mercury in the production of alkaline batteries. Thus, today alkaline batteries are safe for disposal with your normal household trash. Rechargeable batteries, however, typically contain metals that are hazardous to the environment and should never be disposed of with your normal household trash. Instead, these type of batteries should be brought to the Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Center, or taken to a private firm for safe disposal.

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Household Hazardous Waste

1. Who Can Use the Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Center ?: The Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Center is a service available to Hamilton County Residents only. Non-county residents are encouraged to contact the Solid Waste Management District within their own county for information on disposal programs.

2. Does it Cost Anything to Use the Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Center ?: The Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Center does charge a fee of $20 for all types and sizes of televisions. All other materials are free for Hamilton County residents (non-business). Patrons using the facility will be asked to show proof of residency. Residency documents must list the patrons first and last name, and the Hamilton County address at which they reside. Examples include, but not limited to, driver’s license, property tax statement and utility bill.

3. Define Household Hazardous Waste:: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) material consists of products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients. This includes many household items such as paints, cleaners, pesticides, fuel, oils, antifreeze, batteries, and light bulbs. Once finished using these types of products around your home, these items should be brought to the Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Center for safe disposal.

4. How do I Dispose of Unwanted Medication ?: Municipal waste water treatment plants are not designed to remove the complex compounds in both over-the-counter and prescription medication. As a result, trace amounts are being detected in our streams, rivers, and clean drinking water. Fortunately, the Fishers and Westfield Police Departments, as well as the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, all provide a medication dropbox in their lobbies for residents to use during open office hours. Please contact the location nearest to you for more detailed information on their collection program.

5. How do I Dispose of Unwanted Paint ?: Once solidified, latex paint can be placed at the curb with your normal household trash, as well as empty paint cans. To help speed up the solidification process, mix unwanted paint with an absorbent such as cat litter, or sand, and leave the lid off until the paint has hardened.

On the other hand, oil-based paints, varnishes, stains, epoxy’s, and other similar chemicals cannot be disposed of with your normal household trash. These type of products need to be brought to the Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Center, or taken to a private firm for proper disposal.

6. How Do I Dispose of Empty Paint Cans?: Paint cans are only considered hazardous waste when they contain paint. Once empty and dry; containers can safely be disposed of with your general household trash.

7. How do I Dispose of Used Motor Oil ?: Motor oil poured onto the ground or into storm drains, or tossed into trash cans can contaminate and pollute the soil, groundwater, streams, and rivers. One gallon of motor oil is capable of polluting one million gallons of clean drinking water. For that reason, proper disposal is critical. Motor oil, anti-freeze and other similar automotive fluids are accepted by the Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Center. Patrons are able to drop off a maximum amount of twenty gallons.

8. How do I Dispose of Household Batteries ?: Over the years, regulations were enacted to eliminate the use of mercury in the production of alkaline batteries. Thus, today alkaline batteries are safe for disposal with your normal household trash. Rechargeable batteries, however, typically contain metals that are hazardous to the environment and should never be disposed of with your normal household trash. Instead, these type of batteries should be brought to the Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Center, or taken to a private firm for safe disposal.

9. How do I Dispose of Fluorescent Lamps ?: Fluorescent, Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL), and Light-Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs are all considered household hazardous waste. When broken, these types of products release mercury and other metals that damage the environment. So, proper disposal is critical. Once finished using these types of lights around your home, residents may bring these products to the Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Center for proper disposal.

10. How Big of a TV Will the HHW Accept?: At this time, the Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Center does not have a size restriction on televisions accepted; however all size and types of televisions will have a $20 fee.

11. Does the Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Center Accept Yard Waste?: No, the Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Center does not accept yard waste. For disposal information, residents should contact their city services or a private firm such as the one list below:
GreenCycle
2695 Cicero Rd.
Noblesville, IN 46060
(317) 773 - 3350
http://greencycleindy.com

12. How do I Dispose of Large Household Appliances ?: Large appliances containing Freon are accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Center from county residents. This includes household items such as: refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers.

For information on the disposal of non-refrigerant-containing appliances, residents are encouraged to contact a private metal recycling facility.