A School Waste, Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, Composting & Buy ...

Donate Usable Product. If you have large amounts of usable product, such as cans of oilbased
paint in a color that you no longer need, try to donate it to a neighbor who can use it
or a local non-profit group such as a theater group.
Use According to Product Directions. The threat to the environment is often caused when
these products are not used properly or are mixed inappropriately with other products in
your home or in the trash. Follow package directions carefully and keep the product in its
original container.
Bring unusable product to a household hazardous waste collection day. Many
communities in New York offer at least one day a year when they will sponsor a collection
for their residents for household hazardous wastes. Increasingly, towns are joining
permanent household hazardous waste collection facilities. Permanent facilities offer more
opportunities for collection, frequently at a reduced cost. They can also provide an
opportunity for product exchanges and ongoing public education. Contact your town hall to
learn how often these materials are collected in your community.
When participating in a town-sponsored collection day, try to keep products in their original
containers so that the operator can identify them. The container should be tightly closed
and not cracked or leaking. Businesses are currently prohibited from using household
hazardous waste collections to dispose of their wastes.
Unfortunately, options for schools are limited, you will need to call ahead to see if your
local community will allow you to participate in a household hazardous waste collection day.
If not, there are contractors that will take your hazardous wastes for a fee.
Most hazardous wastes from schools are generated in science laboratories, shops, art
rooms, photography studios and maintenance operations.
Hazardous wastes found in schools could include solvents, alcohols, paint thinners, solventbased
paints and stains, acids, bases, photographic chemicals, toxic metals and automotive
fluids.
- 28 -