Household Hazardous Waste: What to Do with Unwanted Items

Every homeowner has a designated spot in their garage, basement, or utility room for items they can’t quite dispose of.

Common items include half-empty paint cans, old batteries, unused weed killer, ancient computers, fluorescent bulbs, and mystery chemicals left by previous homeowners.

Eventually, you’ll need to address these items.

Fortunately, Metro Atlanta offers several options for disposing of household items that shouldn’t be thrown in regular trash or recycling. This is an ideal time to tackle the pile if you’re cleaning out your home before a move, renovation, or major decluttering project.

Start with Your Local Household Hazardous Waste Program

Many Metro Atlanta cities and counties organize household hazardous waste collection events. These events are specifically designed for residents with items requiring special handling.

However, these events aren’t always held weekly. Some communities only offer them once or twice a year, and participation may require registration.

Before loading everything into the car, check your city’s or county’s website to understand what they accept, if there’s a fee, and if you need an appointment.

Remember, not all liquids, electronics, or chemicals belong in the same category. Disposal rules vary by item.

Batteries, Bulbs, and Other Small Items

Batteries are often overlooked as harmless because of their small size, but they shouldn’t be thrown in regular trash.

Rechargeable batteries, CFL bulbs, and certain other household items may be accepted at participating home improvement stores and recycling programs. Home Depot and Lowe’s locations have offered collection programs for some of these materials, but accepted items can vary by store.

So, the next time you’re replacing a light fixture or picking up a few things for a weekend project, take a moment to check the recycling area near the entrance or ask customer service about the specific location’s recycling guidelines.

It’s a simple step that can help prevent potentially harmful materials from ending up in the waste stream.

Now, let’s talk about old medications. If you’re cleaning out your medicine cabinet, don’t flush unused medications down the toilet or pour them down the sink unless the medication instructions specifically advise you to do so.

A safer alternative is to participate in a medication take-back program.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s Safe.Pharmacy resource can assist you in locating medication disposal options, including participating pharmacies and other collection sites. Availability may vary, so it’s a good idea to check ahead before making a special trip.

While you’re cleaning, take this opportunity to dispose of expired medications you no longer need. Instead of letting them take up valuable bathroom space for another five years, get rid of them now.

Paint can be a unique challenge for homeowners, especially if you’ve been in North Atlanta for a while. You might have a shelf somewhere holding paint cans from three different renovations.

While it makes sense to keep a small amount of leftover paint for future touch-ups, it’s not advisable to keep 14 cans of colors that haven’t appeared on your walls since 2012.

Paint disposal can require special handling, particularly for certain oil-based products and other materials. Local programs and specialized services can assist you with this.

For homeowners who prefer not to transport paint themselves, Atlanta Paint Disposal offers residential pickup for a fee, as well as drop-off options through participating locations. Before scheduling, it’s essential to check their current accepted materials and pricing.

Finally, let’s mention the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM), one of Metro Atlanta’s most valuable resources for hard-to-recycle household items. CHaRM is operated by Live Thrive and provides a convenient way to dispose of items that are difficult to recycle.

CHaRM, with its locations in the Atlanta area, accepts a diverse range of materials that don’t belong in your curbside recycling bin. These include electronics, paint, chemicals, household goods, paper, and other challenging-to-recycle items.

Some items are accepted at no charge, while others may incur fees and require appointments. Before loading your car, it’s essential to review the current guidelines.

When faced with uncertainty, Earth911 is an excellent resource for homeowners. Simply enter your ZIP code and the material you’re trying to dispose of, and you’ll find nearby facilities and programs that accept it.

Earth911 is particularly useful when dealing with unusual items and avoiding unnecessary phone calls.

One final homeowner tip: If you’re preparing to sell your home, avoid postponing your disposal project until the week before closing. Old paint cans, broken electronics, chemicals, and miscellaneous garage items won’t magically disappear when the moving truck arrives. Allocate time to determine the appropriate disposal methods and be aware that your regular trash service may have restrictions on certain materials.

A clean garage, basement, and utility room not only enhances the overall appearance of your home but also makes it easier to maintain, organize, and ultimately, sell.

At North Atlanta Home Group, we understand that homeownership encompasses more than just buying and selling a house. It involves knowing how to care for your home and having the right contacts when faced with unexpected challenges.

If you’re considering a move anywhere in North Atlanta, we’d be delighted to assist you. With over 30 years of experience living and working in this community, we’ve come to realize that sometimes the most important questions from homeowners are the ones that matter most.