Not sure how to get rid of your old electronics, house paint, motor oil, fluorescent bulbs, fertilizers, etc, in an eco-friendly way?
This Saturday,the City of Gainesville is hosting a Toxic Round-Up event at the MLK Center in East Gainesville, where you can drop off your unwanted toxic household products free of charge.
This one-day event is open to all Gainesville and Alachua County residents.
When:
Saturday, October 2, between 9am and 1pm
Where:
MLK Jr Center
1028 Northeast 14th Street
Gainesville, FL 32601
Enter at NE 13th Street off of NE 8th Avenue and head for the parking lot behind the MLK, Jr. Center. Event staff will be on-site to safely collect your unwanted hazardous materials.
Why It’s Important
Landfilling hazardous household materials or pouring them down the drain is not only illegal in Florida, it can harm sanitation workers and severely impact local ecosystems, our treasured wildlife, and our water supply.
The most pressing problem posed by household products that contain toxins is water pollution. Chemicals and heavy metals from electronics that are landfilled can leech into soil. Here in Alachua County, our aquifers are right near the surface, so these toxins can easily find their way into our water supply, making it unsafe for drinking and agricultural purposes, and harmful to our cherished natural environment.
The long-term effects of the old way of disposing of household hazardous materials are destruction of habitation, mutation in animals, and higher rates of cancer and other diseases in people.
What to Bring
- Paints & Paint thinners (including aerosol spray paint cans)
- Oil filters and automotive fluids (oil, gasoline, brake fluid, radiator fluid, etc.)
- Computers, TVs and electronics (small appliances such as microwaves are OK)
- Solvents, corrosives, pool chemicals and household cleaners
- Insecticides, herbicides, pesticides and poisons
- Batteries (all types: car, rechargeable, alkaline, button)
- Fluorescent lamps, CFL light bulbs and Christmas lights
- Sharps (syringes, needles, lancets, etc.)
- Pharmaceuticals (pills, medicines) and OTC meds
- Roof tar and driveway sealer
- Fertilizers, used cooking oil, propane tanks, and thermostats
What Not to Bring
- A/C units and large appliances (small appliances are OK)
- Tires, construction debris, pallets, pressure treated wood
- Recyclables, scrap metal, yard waste, or household garbage
Disposing of Household Hazardous Waste Year-Round
The Alachua County Hazardous Waste Collection Center at 5125 NE 63rd Ave accepts household hazardous waste year-round, and free of charge. They’re open six days a week to the public. Call 352-334-0440 for more information.
Small Businesses – The Alachua County Hazardous Waste Collection Program also offers a fee based disposal service for hazardous wastes from small businesses. Visit their Small Business Waste page to see if you qualify and for a list of fees.
Let’s all do our part to keep Gainesville beautiful and free of pollutants by disposing of toxic household products the right way!
