Is that my garage or the toxic waste center?

If this looks in any way like your basement or garage, follow me because it is a photo of MWA’s Regional Collection Center.

I would guess that we are all quite similar in what we do and say around the house. For example, I say things like

I’d better save that; it matches my ________ (You fill in the blank.)

I’d better save that; I paid $ _____ for it. (You fill in the blank.)

• I’d better save that; it will be useful for ______ (You know the routine.)

There are a couple of concepts that might be applicable here.

• If it matched once, it doesn’t match anymore. One of the items has faded.
• Just because something once cost money, it doesn’t mean it still has value.
• If I haven’t used it yet, I probably won’t.

It’s been hard for some of us (That would be me.) to adjust to the idea of the “just-in-time” business concept, but buying just the right amount of material at just the right time prevents waste and eliminates the need to store the excess. …. Yeah, but we get suckered in. I’m sure you’ve heard this routine at the store.

The first pint is $200, but today we are having a special. You get another 25 gallons for an additional $200.

So we all go home with just over 25 gallons, pleased that we paid less than $8 a gallon. (Then we have to park the car on the street for a few years.)

Unfortunately some of the materials being stored in a basement or garage are toxic, caustic, corrosive, flammable, or otherwise reactive. DNR has some applicable definitions and a great list. Some of the items are more obvious; others might be overlooked. OSHA regulates many of these materials in the workplace, but not in your garage. It’s up to you. Want some technical definitions of toxic? In a nutshell, a hazardous or toxic substance can kill you or make you ill by one of three routes: if you eat or drink it (duh!); if it stays in contact with the skin; or if you breathe it. The same is true for your children, dog, cat, or tropical fish. Read the label. Caustic, corrosive and reactive materials may include drain cleaners, pool chemicals, and a lot more. Toxic materials that you might overlook include fluorescent lights and the new energy efficient lamps. DNR will even tell you about getting rid of eWaste.

If it is time to reduce your collection of pesticides, herbicides, oil base paints, paint thinners, anti-freeze, oil, gasoline, pool chemicals, etc., or even that mystery container that lost its label, head toward Bondurant on Highway 65 just north of Prairie Meadows. Stop at the Metro Waste Authority’s Regional Collection Center (RCC). That’s exit 142B off of I-80. It’s the green roofed building about 1 mile north of I-80 on the west side of Hwy 65 – 1105 Prairie Drive, Bondurant. They’ll greet you at the door and help you unload. (Note: Their workers wear protective gloves. Hmm.) Check the list; the more dangerous stuff seems to be free to dispose. They will charge a small fee for things that you can dispose of, like latex paint. For example, it cost me $5 to get rid of 8 part gallons of latex paint. They go by weight.

Finally, this could save you some money. They have a Swap Shop where you can pick up usable materials that others have recycled. It’s free.

photos by Jim Lindberg