LANDFILLS NO LONGER ACCEPTS WASTE OIL AND ANTI-FREEZE

 Disposal of Difficult Wastes, Made Simple

Computers and televisions break or become unwanted.  So do fluorescent light bulbs, microwave ovens, dehumidifiers, and a number of other items that shouldn’t be thrown in the trash.  Help protect the county’s water resources, and think twice before you toss these items.  Finding an environmentally safe disposal option for these and other hard-to-manage items doesn’t have to be complicated if you know where to look.  One good place to start is http://calumet.uwex.edu under the “hot topics” link, where lists of recycling options for each of the following items are included.

Appliances can often be recycled by a scrap metal recycler.  However, there may be a fee for this service.  Appliances that contain CFC’s and freon, such as dehumidifiers, air conditioners, and refrigerators, will require special handling to make sure the refrigerants are not released to the atmosphere.  Green Tech of Wisconsin and Outagamie County Solid Waste Department are two outlets for these items.

Electronics such as televisions and computers are banned from landfill disposal according to Wisconsin law.  Free and low-cost year-round options for recycling these items include Best Buy retail locations, Green Tech of Wisconsin, and Outagamie County Solid Waste.  Calumet County hosts a temporary low-cost option in the spring, typically in conjunction with the hazardous waste Clean Sweep events.

Fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, and should be properly disposed for recycling.  Most times, disposal of the compact, curly, bulbs is free; there is usually a nominal fee to recycle the tube fluorescent bulbs.  Common outlets are Home Depot, Batteries Plus, and Bulbs Plus stores.  Some local True Value and Ace Hardware stores will also accept them.  There will be a cost for disposal of tube fluorescent light bulbs.  Check the website for disposal options.

Hazardous wastes from home, farm and business:  Calumet County hosts temporary Clean Sweep collection events for hazardous wastes.  Residents from Appleton and the Town of Harrison can take household hazardous wastes to collection sites in Appleton and Menasha on April 20 and 21.  Collection sites will be offered for hazardous waste disposal for all county residents, farms, and businesses on May 18 and 19.  Specific times and locations will be announced in early 2012.  Check the website for details.

Leftover medications:  Calumet County residents can safely dispose of leftover medications at permanent drop off boxes located at the Appleton Police Department, Brillion Police Department, or the Calumet County Sheriff’s Department.  Access to the boxes is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Computers, television, or anything capable of creating a picture are no longer allowed in a landfill, so none of these items will be accepted at the drop off site.

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Recycling

There is so much information on the new recycling law for electronics it is nearly impossible to put it all in here. The DNR Recycling web site is a good place for al the latest rules and guidelines.

There is a limited number of State certified recycling collectors. There is non in Calumet County. Best Buy in Darboy is the closest certified collector in the area.

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 Options for Recycling Used Oil Filters

Effective January 1, 2011, Wisconsin Act 86 banned oil filters and oil absorbents from landfill disposal. The law applies to individuals, farmers, businesses, commercial and industrial facilities, educational institutions and municipalities. The PDF includes options where impacted people can recycle their used, drained, oil filters.

• Options for Recycling Used Oil Filters

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