Look for the signal words, “Danger, Poison, Warning, Caution, Flammable, Caustic, Preservative”

• Car batteries – Place in a plastic-lined cardboard box.

• Chemicals – Put chemicals in separate plastic containers (milk jug or 2-liter soda bottle) with labels. Do not mix chemicals. Consider transporting in a secure plastic container to avoid spillage.

• Fluorescent and compact bulbs – Box all bulbs to prevent breakage.

• Gasoline – Containers holding contaminated gasoline will be placed, as is, into the collection drum and will not be returned. 

• Household batteries – Alkaline and rechargeable includes lithium-ion, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, and sealed lead acid batteries. Tape the ends on 6 volt, 9 volt, C and D, Remember, when in doubt, tape your battery terminals. Click here for more information on how to prepare batteries.

• Non-regulated home medical waste – Put sharps in a hard-plastic container with a secure lid (laundry detergent container, etc., NOT milk jug, water bottle, (light-plastic)) and write "SHARPS" on container for safety.

Some items are too dangerous to be handled at our facility. Below is a list with other resources that may help you decide what to do with the waste.

• Asbestos Debris/Material: Do not attempt to remove, handle or transport asbestos containing materials without contacting the EGLE Air Quality Division or an asbestos abatement contractor (See yellow pages for listings).

  • EGLE Air Quality Division, (906) 228-4853

  • The State Health Department – Environmental Health Division, (517) 335-8762

• Latex Paint: Latex paint is not hazardous. For usable latex paint use it up or give it to Marquette Wallpaper & Paint (906) 228-8376 if the paint is in its original can and is less than three years old and is in good condition (no rusty, frozen or hardened paint). Alternatively, you may pour the paint out onto newspaper, allow it to dry and throw it away with your regular trash.

• Radioactive Materials: This includes things such as smoke detectors. These should be mailed by UPS to the manufacturer (Not USPS).

• Smoke detectors: Ship back to manufacturer

• Tires

• Unidentifiable or Unlabeled Materials: Be sure to keep all materials separated and labeled to prevent dangerous mixes.

Proper prescription medication disposal is important because it helps protect human health and our environment. Unwanted medications should not be flushed down the toilet. When medications are no longer needed, bring them to any of the following drop-off location free of charge: