SATURDAY 7/24: Hazardous Waste Collection Event

The City is hosting the next Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event on Saturday, July 24, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Property Yard, 7100 Gordon Road.

Household hazardous waste refers to used or leftover contents of consumer products that contain materials with one of the four characteristics of a hazardous waste: toxic, ignitable, corrosive or reactive. Household hazardous wastes, such as cleaners, automotive fluids, herbicides, pesticides, oil-based paints, and thinners should not be disposed with regular trash. Improper disposal of even a small amount of hazardous waste can have major adverse impacts on our air, water, and soil and may result in death or serious bodily injury.

The safest way for residents to dispose of household hazardous waste is to bring it to one of the City’s collection events or to the permanent collection facility in Fairfax County, free of charge. (The City’s fee to dispose of residential refuse at the Fairfax County Transfer Station entitles City residents to use the Fairfax County Facility.) The household hazardous waste is disposed or recycled according to local, state and federal regulations.

Items marked “YES” in the second column may be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Permanent Collection Site or to a Collection Event.

Material Accepted at HHW Collection

or Permanent Facility? Additional Instructions

Acids YES

Aerosol sprays YES

Ammunition or explosives NO Call the City Police Department 703-241-5053

Automotive: gasoline, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid, diesel fuel, transmission fluid and motor oil YES* *diesel fuel, transmission fluid and motor oil may be recycled in the used motor oil area of the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 W. Ox Rd., Fairfax)

Batteries: alkaline (A, AA, C, D etc.), carbon zinc NO Dispose of alkaline and carbon zinc batteries in the regular trash

Batteries: button (hearing aid and watch), rechargeable (NiCd, Ni-MH, Li-ion) YES Rechargeable batteries may also be taken to the collection box under the Police Dispatch window in City Hall

Batteries: Lead acid (SSLA, Pb), including vehicle (car, boat, motorcycle) YES* Recycle at the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 W. Ox Rd., Fairfax)

Bathroom and kitchen cleaning products:ammonia based cleaners, drain cleaners, most bathroom cleaners NO Pour ammonia-based cleaners, drain cleaners and most bathroom cleaners down the drain inside your home. NEVER pour products down storm drains or on the ground.

Cleaning products: polishes, rust removers, floor care products YES

Coal tar products (driveway, foundation and roof sealers) YES

Compressed gas cylinders NO Return to point of purchase. Also see “Gas Propane Tanks.”

Computers, TVs and Electronics NO Bring them to a City of Falls Church Recycling Extravaganza or a Fairfax County Event.

Creosote products (wood treatment products, wood sealers) YES

Fireworks and Flares NO Dispose of legal fireworks and flares in trash after first soaking in water. Contact the Fire Department, 703-221-0106, regarding illegal fireworks.

Fluorescent light bulbs (tubes and compact) YES

Gas propane tanks, small hand-type torches YES* *Tanks up to 20 pounds such as those used on gas grills may be recycled at the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 W. Ox Rd., Fairfax) for a fee.

*Return to point of purchase. Tanks over 20 pounds are not accepted at the Permanent Collection Facility.

Glue, solvent-based YES

Glue, water-based NO Dispose of in the trash.

Home renovation: varnish and stains, driveway sealers YES Also see “Paint”

Inks and dyes YES

Medicines NO DO NOT flush unused medicines down the toilet. NEVER pour products down storm drains or dump on the ground. Throw unwanted medicines in the trash. Cross out your name and phone number, duct-tape the container closed and place in the trash as close to collection time as possible. Do not put containers containing medicine in the recycling. Also see “Syringes, needles and other medical sharps”.

Mercury products YES

Moth balls YES

Nail polish, nail polish remover YES

Oven cleaner YES

Paint, latex (water-based) NO DRY latex paint may be safely disposed of in the regular trash. To dry the paint, add sand, kitty litter, or a paint hardener to the can. Place dry paint cans next to your trash can on collection day. NEVER leave wet paint out for collection.

Paint, oil-based and paint thinner YES

Photographic mixes NO Diluted developers, fixers, etc. can be poured down the drain inside your home. NEVER pour products down storm drains.

Poisons YES

Pool chemicals YES

Radioactive materials NO

See Fairfax County’s list of Hazardous Waste Disposal Companies under Business Hazardous Waste.

Shoe Polish NO Dispose of in the trash.

Smoke alarms NO Dispose of in the trash or send back to the manufacturer. Recycle rechargeable batteries contained inside. Also see “Batteries, rechargeable.”

Syringes, needles and other medical sharps NO Dispose of in the trash after placing them in an empty jar with screw-on lid or a soda bottle with a screw-on lid. Mark the container “residential sharps.”

Yard care products: fertilizers (lawn and garden, tree spikes) NO Dispose of in the trash. NEVER put products down storm drains.

Yard care products: pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, weed killers YES

Permanent Hazardous Waste Disposal Facility

4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA

703-324-5068 (TTY 711)

Directions: take I-66 west to Route 50 west. Continue west and then go south on West Ox Road. Located on the right, just past the county’s Fire Training Academy and before Costco.

Hours of Operation

Thursday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Waste should not be left at the facility at any other time.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events

City of Falls Church Recycling Center and Property Yard (217 Gordon Road) 703-248-5176 (TTY 711)

Directions: Heading west on Route 7, go through the traffic light at Birch Street and turn left onto Gordon Road. The Property Yard is on the right. Gordon Road is directly across from the West Falls Shopping Center (Giant) and next to the Don Beyer Volvo Dealer on Route 7.

Next Event: July 24, 2010, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Procedures for Packing and Transporting Household Hazardous Waste

• Keep products in their original containers. Do not mix products. Make sure lids are tightly sealed. Label materials that are not in their original containers.

• Place leaking containers in a larger, plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.

• Secure products upright in a cardboard box. Do not transport products in plastic bags.

• Transport products in the back of a pickup truck or in a car trunk. Ensure adequate ventilation if transported in car passenger compartment.

• Keep flammables out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat, spark, flame or ignition. Do not smoke.