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Hazardous Waste
The first rules about hazardous products are to avoid them if possible, store them properly, and use them for their intended purpose.Generally if a container says "Danger, Caution, Poison, Flammable, Warning, Toxic, Corrosive, Combustible, contains acid, contains lye, contains petroleum distillates, or causes burns to skin," it probably contains hazardous chemicals. Improper use or disposal can be harmful to human health and the environment.
Residents
Olmsted County residents that have unwanted or unusable household hazardous waste (HHW) can bring them to the Hazardous Waste Facility located at 305 Silver Creek Road, N.E. in Rochester. The facility is open Monday- Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Items accepted at the Hazardous Waste Facility are things like:
- Paints
- Stains
- Varnishes
- Household Cleaners
- Solvents
- Aerosols
- Pesticides
- Mercury products such as thermostats and thermometers
- Auto, rechargeable and button batteries
- Used Antifreeze
- Sharps - Call (507)287-2470 for procedure
- Special Waste (See below)
Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection Days
Each year Olmsted County holds Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Collections at several locations around the county. Below is the 2009 mobile collection schedule.
Byron Chatfield Eyota-Dover
At the Fire Hall At City Garage behind Library At the High School
Tuesday, September 8 Tuesday, September 15 Tuesday, August 4
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Oronoco Stewartville
At the Community Center At St. John's Lutheran Church
Tuesday, May 5 Thursday, June 11
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
BRING to Mobile Collections: DON'T BRING to Mobile Collections:
Drain openers Empty Containers
Toilet Bowl Cleaners Soaps & Detergent
Photographic Chemicals Explosives
Floor & Furniture Polish Medical Wastes
Transmission Fluid Used Motor Oil
Paints Used Oil Filters
Mercury Products Fluorescent Tubes
Rechargeable Batteries Propane Tanks
Oven Cleaners
Pool Acids
Gas/Diesel
Adhesives
Solvents
Pesticides
Mobile collections may be canceled in the case of rain or threatening weather.
NO business or farm waste can be accepted at mobile collections.
Businesses
Businesses and nonprofit organizations generating less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month that are located in southeast Minnesota may participate in the Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) program.
The VSQG program was developed to help dispose of small amounts of hazardous waste cost effectively and in compliance with state and federal regulations.
The following is a partial list of acceptable waste:
- Acids/bases
- Adhesives
- Aerosols
- Batteries
- Cleaning agents
- Degreasers
- Gasoline/fuel
- Glues
- Laboratory waste
- Mercuric wastes
- Paints (oil, latex)
- Pesticides
- Photographic wastes
- Poisons
- Pool chemicals
- Resins/epoxies
- Solvents/thinners
- Strippers
- Waste ink
- Wood preservatives
To Participate:
- The business requests information packet from their county or Olmsted County
- The business sends completed VSQG program application to Olmsted County
- Olmsted County approves VSQG Program application and develops information required for proper transportation
- Olmsted County schedules transportation date and time with business
- Transportation of hazardous waste to Olmsted County Hazardous Waste Facility
- Olmsted County Hazardous Waste Facility accepts waste and disposal bill is determined
- The business is provided with documentation for their records
Special Waste
Disposal of special wastes are also available free or on a fee-for-service basis for businesses and residents.Some of the items accepted under this program include:
- agricultural pesticides
- antifreeze
- asbestos
- automotive batteries (FREE)
- cell phones (FREE)
- filters (oil, gas, transmission)
- fluorescent tubes
- lithium, mercury, silver oxide batteries (FREE)
- PCB ballasts/capacitors
For more information call Olmsted County Public Works at 507 328-7070.
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Official Olmsted County Website
Location:
Health and the Environment > Garbage & Recycling > Hazardous Waste
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