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Public Information Services
Solid Waste Information Source
If you are new in the area, or have questions
about the garbage and recycling collection services where you live,
please
contact us. The Solid Waste Division can help identify your
waste hauler or recycler and the items accepted for collection. The
Solid Waste Division is also happy to answer questions you may
have about:
- Waste Reduction
- Composting & Yard Waste Disposal
- Hazardous Waste Disposal
- Disposal of Special Waste Items such as:
Appliances, Automotive Products, Cell Phones, Compressed Gas
Cylinders, Computer Equipment, Fluorescent
Bulbs, Medical-Related Wastes, Paint, Rechargeable Batteries,
Sharps, Smoke Detectors, Televisions, etc.
Upcoming Local Waste Reduction Events
None to post at this time.
Wisconsin's Electronic Waste Recycling Law
On October 26, 2009 Wisconsin became the twentieth state
to pass electronic waste (e-waste) recycling legislation. The
law, called the E-Cycle Wisconsin Program, took effect January 1, 2010 and established a
statewide collection
and recycling system for certain consumer electronic devices.
All electronics sold to Wisconsin households, K-12 public schools
and Milwaukee Parental Choice Program schools are part of the
E-Cycle Wisconsin Program.
The new
legislation is based on a "Product Stewardship" approach
which requires
manufacturers of certain consumer electronics to assume financial
responsibility for the collection and recycling of e-waste
items.
The
law is expected to provide Wisconsinites more local e-waste
recycling opportunities, conserve valuable
resources, prevent pollution, and encourage expansion of the
state's recycling industry.
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Electronics Banned from
the Landfill Beginning
September 1, 2010. The
electronic items listed below were banned from disposal in
Wisconsin landfills or incinerators beginning September 1, 2010. The bans apply to
everyone in Wisconsin - household residents, businesses,
institutions, municipal governments, etc.
-
Consumer
computers
- Computer peripherals
- Televisions and other video display devices
- Fax machines
- DVD's, VCR's and other video players
- Consumer printers
- Phones with video displays (cell phones)
For additional information
about Wisconsin's Electronics Recycling Law, the new infrastructure
for handling e-waste, and a list of registered e-waste collectors and
recyclers please visit the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) website at: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Ecycle/
County-sponsored
collection events.
Wisconsin's new legislation has shifted the e-waste
recycling burden from local units of government to manufacturers.
The only requirement for local units of government is to provide their residents information about
e-waste collection events or opportunities, and the reasons this
material should be recycled.
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Why is it Important to
Properly Manage Discarded Electronics?
Computers, computer accessories, TVs, cell phones and
other electronic devices contain harmful materials like lead, mercury,
cadmium, chromium, heavy metals and chemical flame retardants.
When electronics are placed in the landfill, incinerated or illegally dumped,
harmful materials have the potential to leach into the environment
and adversely affect human health and the
environment. Improperly managed electronics
also pose health risks to workers at companies that manage the
electronics.
Electronics contain valuable materials like plastic,
metals and circuit boards, so recycling is the best waste management
option for these items. Recycling or reuse of electronic items reduces environmental impacts and economic costs by
decreasing the need for virgin materials to make new consumer
products.
E-Waste Recycling Opportunities
in Southeastern Wisconsin
For a list of businesses that collect e-waste for recycling in the
local area click
here
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page
Paint Disposal Information
Know what kind of paint you have
Household
paints generally fall into one of two general categories: 
1. Latex - in which the major
liquid ingredient is water.
2. Alkyd or oil-based -
which contains some sort of solvent.
If you are unsure what kind of paint you have, check the
cleanup instructions on the label. Latex products can be
cleaned up with soap and water. Alkyd or oil-based products
require paint thinner or mineral spirits for clean up.
Facts about paint. When stored
properly, paint will last for several years. Just cover the opening
with plastic wrap and make sure the lid fits securely so the paint
doesn't leak out. Then, store the paint can upside down. The paint
creates a tight seal around the lid, which will keep it fresh until
needed again. As a general rule, paint that mixes smoothly when
stirred can still be used.
What to do with left over Latex paint.
Return it.
If you have a full unopened can of a stock color (factory-mixed, not
custom-tinted paint) check with your dealer or retailer to see if
you can return it for a refund.
Use it up. The best
thing to do with usable Latex paint is to use it up. Apply a
second coat or touch up areas that need improvement.
Share it.
If you cannot use up
left over Latex paint try to share it with a neighbor, friend, or
community group. Make sure that the paint is in
the original container with the label intact and not contaminated
with other products.
Evaporate it.
Latex paint products cannot be disposed of in liquid form in most
landfills. Unusable Latex paint can be safely disposed of by
allowing the liquid to evaporate. When the paint has hardened
completely, it may be placed in the regular trash.
To evaporate small amounts of Latex paint:
Step 1: Move paint container to a sheltered, secure
outdoor area away from flames, children and pets. Locked
screen porches and balconies work well. Some old Latex paint
contains mercury so it is important to dry out paint in a safe,
well-ventilated area.
Step 2: Remove the lid and let paint dry in the can.
Stirring the paint occasionally will speed up the drying process.
Step 3: Discard the can of dried paint in the trash.
Leave lid off can so the trash collector can see that the paint is
dry.
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To evaporate larger amounts of Latex paint:
Step 1: Line a medium-size cardboard box with a heavy plastic
trash bag, and place it in a secure, well-ventilated area away from
flames, children and pets.
Step 2: Pour Latex paint into the lined cardboard box.
Step 3: Add an equal amount of kitty litter or oil dry. S tep 4: Mix the paint and dry material by stirring with a
stick. Stirring the mixture every few days will speed up the
drying process.
Step 5: When the mixture is hard and dry, remove the bag
from the box and place it in the trash.
Retail products that quickly dry out Latex paint.
Retail products that dry out Latex paint in a matter of minutes
are available locally and are sold at the following nearby
locations: Ace Hardware, Delavan - 262-728-8228
Dunn Lumber, True Value Hardware, Lake Geneva - 262-248-4459
Heyer True Value Hardware, Walworth - 262-275-6133
Home Depot, Lake Geneva - 262-248-6297
Home Lumber, Whitewater - 262-473-3538
Jackson's Do it Best Hardware, Elkhorn, 262-723-3338
Lowes, Delavan - 262-740-2728
Latex Paint Recycling Opportunity:
Reineman's True Value Hardware in Burlington offers
consumers the opportunity to deliver unwanted Latex paint to be
reformulated or remixed for reuse. Fees for this service are
as follows: $1.50 for a 1-quart can; $2.50 for a
1-gallon can; and $8.00 for a 5-gallon bucket. (Paint from smaller cans may be poured
together into a larger container.) The store is located at 417
Milwaukee Avenue in Burlington. For more information
phone 262-763-3577.
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Oil, Alkyd and Solvent based paint should be
brought to "Clean Sweep"
Oil, alkyd and solvent based paints, or paints with additives
require special disposal, since they may be flammable or contain
substances that present
particular hazards. These paints should never be emptied into storm
sewers, household drains, or on the ground. They
should be stored and brought to a household hazardous waste Clean
Sweep collection program.
You can find
Clean Sweep program information on the PUBLIC
SERVICE PROGRAMS page of this web site.Return to top of
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