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Batteries
When buying battery-powered products, choose those that operate on solar power. (Or better yet, choose ones that require no power at all.) And remember,
when buying electronic toys or other portable gifts, include rechargeable batteries with them.
Most batteries can be brought to
HazoHouse. However, HazoHouse no longer
accepts alkaline batteries and has a limit of 3 car
batteries per residential customer, per day.
To find the location of a battery recycler that
accepts alkaline and other batteries, refer to the
Where Do I Take My?...
(Water & Waste Mgmt Dept) website. Portable rechargeable batteries can
also be dropped off at many retail locations throughout Thurston County.
To find a location near you, see either the
Where Do I Take My?... or the Call2Recycle® website.
Some batteries (rechargeable, NiCad, lithium, silver oxide, button) can retain a charge; to prevent any problems while storing or transporting the used batteries, place them
individually in a sealed plastic bag, or tape (use electrical, duct, or masking) the terminals.
Fluorescent lights contain mercury, a hazardous material, and cannot be disposed of in the garbage. To find out which retailers take back fluorescent bulbs, see
How to Safely Dispose of Fluorescent Bulbs (Water and Waste Management
website). If you break a bulb, learn how to clean it up at Fluorescent Lights —
Broken Bulb Cleanup [PDF]. ...more
Find out what you can do to help reduce waste during the holidays. ...more
It's illegal in Washington to dispose of motor oil in landfills or pour down storm drains, on the ground, or in surface waters.
Learn where to recycle used motor oil. ...more [PDF]
Drugs, Pharmaceuticals & Needles
Drugs / Pharmaceuticals — Medicine Return
Group Health at 700 Lilly Rd NE in Olympia has a free "Medicine Return" container.
Accepted items include:
- Prescription medications
- Over-the-counter medications
- Medication samples
- Medications for pets
- Vitamins
- Medicated ointments/lotions
- Inhalers
- Liquid medication in glass or leak-proof containers
Items not accepted:
- Needles
- Thermometers
- Controlled substances (i.e.
Oxycontin, Vicodin, and other narcotics)
- Bloody or infectious waste
- Personal care products
- Business waste
- Empty containers
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Aerosol cans
For additional information, see
"A Safer Way to
Dispose of Unwanted Household Medicines"
[PDF] or visit Medicine Return by the Northwest Product Stewardship Council.
Drugs / Pharmaceuticals — Trash Disposal
You can also dispose of unwanted drugs and pharmaceuticals in your trash. Please use the following guidelines:
- Keep the medication in its original container.
- Modify the medications to discourage consumption.
Mix medicines with an undesirable
substance, such as cat litter or used
coffee grounds. You can also add a small amount of water to pills or capsules to dissolve them.
- Seal and conceal. Tape the container lid shut, place in a sealable bag, then place in a non-transparent container to ensure that the contents cannot be seen.
- Discard. Discard the container into the garbage away from kids or pets. Do not place in the recycling bin. Do not flush down the toilet.
Wastewater and septic systems are not designed to treat drugs, which may harm aquatic life, as well as our water quality.
Needles / Syringes (Sharps)
Sharps must be placed in a sharps container or
plastic 2-liter bottle, such as a soda bottle, with a tight-fitting lid or cap
(do not use water bottles, which are not as
strong). Tighten the lid and seal with
tape. Place a label on the outside of the container or bottle indicating "syringes" or "sharps".
Properly prepared sharps containers may be placed in
the trash.
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