D.E.F.

How to Dispose of or Recycle:

    Paint
    Motor Oil, Oil Filters,
    Vehicle Batteries
    Household Batteries
    BBQ Tanks
      20 LB Propane Tanks
      1 to 2 LB Propane Tanks

Paint

Household paint - Preparation is important!

Think of the potential mess a can of liquid paint can cause to the road, a truck or sanitation crew if it spills or splatters. Both oil-based and water-based or latex paint may be legally and safely disposed of in your garbage by following the simple instructions below.

Empty Can of Paint: Put it out next to the garbage with the lid off.* (Do not include the empty can with your recyclables.)

Can With Paint: Harden paint by mixing it with kitty litter or another absorbent pellet material (such as Speedy-Dri) until no liquid remains. The more absorbent material added, the faster the paint will harden. To make more room for the absorbent material, full or partially full cans of paint should be poured off into empty cans or ones with less paint. Some paint stores may carry products specifically designed to harden waste paint. Ask stores for details. After the paint is hard, put it out for garbage collection with the lid off.*

* Exception: Rye Brook, White Plains and Yorktown residents must dispose of empty or hardened paint cans on bulk pick-up days.

Click here for additional information on disposing of paint

Motor Oil, Oil Filters, Vehicle Batteries

Motor Oil:* Take used motor oil to a service station or to a retail outlet that sells motor oil. State law requires most service stations and retailers to accept, free of charge, up to five (5) gallons of motor oil per person per day.

Drain oil into a clean unbreakable plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Do not mix oil with any other fluid, such as antifreeze, brake fluid or gasoline. Be certain that the container you use is thoroughly rinsed so that nothing will contaminate the motor oil.

Oil Filters: Drain oil from filter. This should be done in an area where the temperature is higher than 60° F. Oil drains more easily and thoroughly at warmer temperatures. Drained filters should then be wrapped in newspaper and disposed of in the garbage.

Vehicle Batteries:* Take vehicle batteries to a retailer that sells them. State law requires such retailers to accept, free of charge, up to (2) vehicle batteries per person per month. You can also call local scrap metal dealers or your local Recycling Office and ask if they will accept your battery.

* If a service station or retailer refuses to accept your motor oil or vehicle battery, you have the right to report the facility to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Enforcement Division at (845) 256-3013.

Batteries

Household Batteries

Throw away in garbage:
TYPE: Non-Rechargeable Alkaline and Carbon Zinc, Rechargeable - Alkaline.

EXAMPLES: AAA, AA, C, D, 9 Volt, Long Life C and D Cells Used for toys, radios, appliances, flashlights, etc.

FYI - In 1992, an international standard was implemented requiring manufacturers to produce the commonly used non-rechargeable alkaline and carbon zinc batteries with a significantly lower mercury content. Now, according to the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, most household batteries can be disposed of safely in the trash.

Take to a drop-off site or County Household Chemical Clean-Up Day:

TYPE: Rechargeable - Nickel Cadmium*, Sealed Lead Acid, Nickel Hydride, Lithium

EXAMPLES: AAA, AA, C, D, 9 Volt Battery Packs Used for power tools, cellular phones, video cameras, portable computers, etc.

TYPE: Button Cell - Silver Oxide, Mercuric Oxide, Lithium, Zinc Air

EXAMPLES: Round in shape, very small and thin in size. Used for hearing aids, watches, cameras, etc.

* Most RadioShack stores will accept (free of charge and no purchase necessary) nickel cadmium batteries for proper disposal. Call RadioShack for more information.

Rechargeable Batteries: Most consumer products using these batteries have been designed to allow easy battery removal for proper disposal and recycling. If the battery cannot be removed, the entire product may be brought to a local drop-off site or County Household Chemical Clean-Up Day. Click here for information on disposing of rechargeable batteries.

For more information, click here to view the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Household Battery Fact Sheet.

BBQ Tanks

20 lb. Propane Gas BBQ Tanks:

The companies listed below accept 20 pound barbeque tanks. They may charge a nominal fee. Before placing a tank in your car, empty it through normal use of your grill and seal with a plastic cap. Propane tanks come with a cap to insure safety in transit. Most hardware stores and propane distributors sell replacement caps.

If your barbecue tank can be refilled, consider giving it to a neighbor or a friend to use.

Brookfield Metal Company - 280 Lamont Street, Elmsford, NY (914) 592-5250 (Brookfield requires that the main valve be removed from the tank before delivery. Call Brookfield for instructions.)

Tech Air - 465 Knollwood Road, White Plains, NY (914) 949-5151

Columbia Propane - Route 6, Brewster, NY (845) 279-8414

American Compressed Gases - 834 Nepperhan Avenue, Yonkers, NY (914) 968-8708

Synergy Gas - Route 9 and Lions Road, Cold Spring, NY 1(800) 341-3637

Note: Inclusion of a company on this list is not an endorsement by the County of Westchester.

1 to 2 LB Propane BBQ Tanks:

Residual gas should be burned off through proper use of the grill. Empty tanks may be disposed of in the garbage or on bulk pick-up days. Call your local Recycling Office for information.

Note: Disposal and recycling instructions apply only to household generated wastes. Businesses and institutions must comply with Federal and State hazardous waste regulations.

For more information on household hazardous waste disposal, contact:
The Westchester County Household Chemical Info-Line at (914) 813-5425.

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