What do I do with my old paint and other hazardous materials?
Paint cans with dried paint should be placed in your regular trash. Small quantities of paint and all latex paints can be air-dried and disposed in the trash. To help residents dispose of oil-based paint and other hazardous products found in the home, the Solid Waste District conducts the Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up twice each year. Hazardous materials from households can be turned in for free during Spring and Fall Round-Up events (no latex paint will be accepted). Collections might also be held at your city service department. For information on this program, contact the District at (216) 443-3749.

Where can I recycle magazines, office paper, and junk mail?
Abitibi Consolidated has placed green & yellow "Paper Retriever" bins throughout the county. If your community does not recycle these types of paper, they can be taken to one of several paper recycling companies including Caraustar Cleveland Recycling (216) 961-5060 or Gateway Recycling (216) 341-8777.

Can computers be recycled?
Yes, the District conducts a Recycle Your Computer Month twice a year to collect unwanted residential computers for refurbishing or recycling. Collections might also be held at your city service department. For collection details, contact the District at (216) 443-3749. Businesses with computers to recycle should call RET3 job corp. at (216) 361-9991.

How do I get rid of my old tires?
When you buy new tires, dispose of your old tires through your tire retailer at the time of purchase. There is a small fee charged for tire disposal, which is used for transporting and disposing of tires through state licensed facilities. If you already have tires at home, contact one of the following three store chains who provide tire disposal for non-customers. These include Firestone Tire & Service Center stores, NTB stores, and Conrad's Auto Service stores.

How can I recycle phone books?
The Solid Waste District recycles phone books June 1-August 15 at twelve Cleveland Metroparks locations. For a list of these locations, call the District at (216) 443-3749. In addition, many communities provide phone book recycling when the new books are delivered each Summer. Check with your community.

How do I dispose of an old propane tank that can't be refilled?
Due to new government regulations regarding the safety devices on propane tanks effective 04/01/02, tanks with a round or star-shaped hand wheel have now been rendered obsolete. These old tanks cannot be refilled. Old cylinders can be exchanged at the store where the new tank is purchased. For more information or an exchange location near you, visit Blue Rhino or AmeriGas.

I live in an apartment building with no recycling program. Where can I recycle?
If your city does not have a drop-off site for recyclables, you can recycle your aluminum cans at your local fire department who collects them to support the Aluminum Cans for Burned Children charity. Paper can be taken to one of several paper recycling companies listed in question 2 above. Recyclable plastics can be taken to Gateway Recycling (216) 341- 8777.

Where can I recycle my used motor oil?
Used motor oil can be recycled for free at many service stations and through many city recycling programs. AutoZone, Murray's Discount Auto, Lube Stop, Speedy by Monro and Valvoline Instant Oil Change service stations commonly accept motor oil from the public. Also, check with your city service department to see if they collect used motor oil from residents. To prepare oil for recycling, drain the oil into a container with a sealable lid such as a milk jug. Do not mix with other automotive fluids. Plastic motor oil containers cannot be recycled due to the oil residue.

Why can't all plastics be recycled?
Generally speaking, plastic containers coded with a (3),(4),(5),(6) or (7) cannot be recycled at this time due to limited markets. As the plastics recycling industry grows and new uses are found for these higher numbered plastics, we hope to expand the types of plastics we can recycle locally.

How can my office recycle its paper?
There are many companies that collect recyclable paper from businesses. The Solid Waste District publishes a Recycling Directory for Business and Industry which lists companies that recycle office paper and other common waste materials produced by businesses.