Q. Where can I dispose of my computer/television/can of paint/ household chemicals/ battery?

A. The County accepts electronics everyday in the Henderson County Convenience Center. Batteries are accepted everyday beside the oil collection. Please separate them into the drums labeled "rechargeable" and "non-rechargeable". Paint and household chemicals are accepted during designated household hazardous waste events.

Q. I am a citizen who wants to dispose of a Compact Fluorescent Light bulb where can I do this? I have also heard that they contain mercury. Is it are safe to throw the bulb away, or should I save it for Household Hazardous Waste collection?

A. The amount of mercury contained in a CFL is minute, about 1/100th of the mercury found in a thermometer. The larger home improvement stores are now accepting CFLs, so please call your nearest large home improvement store for more information. Though caution should be exercised with their disposal, they can be disposed of with regular household trash. If bulbs are broken, it is recommended that they are moved to a well ventilated area and placed in a sealed plastic bag before disposal. Visit EPA’s website to learn more about CFLs and their disposal.

Q. Why can’t I recycle plastic takeout containers and tubs? How about pizza boxes?

A. Currently, most of the Materials Recovery Facilities Henderson County deals with do not process plastics that do not have a screw-on lid or neck. This is because these plastics have different melting points from the plastics that make up tubs, takeout containers, and the like.

Pizza boxes cannot be recycled because they are too contaminated with food and oil to make a useful end product. If you feel bad about throwing the box away, here’s a tip: Check to see if the lid is free of any oil and food stains. If it is, you can tear it off and recycle it and don’t have to throw the entire box away.

Q. I have heard that everything that I recycle just gets thrown away, so I shouldn’t bother. Is this true?

A. That is not true. At the Henderson County Convenience Center we receive revenue from the recyclables that we ship out. If we were just throwing away everything that is recycled there, it would be like throwing away money. The same goes for many other businesses that haul recycling. If you have doubts about where everything is ending up, talk to your recycling service provider.

Q: How should I safely dispose of prescription medication?

A: Prescription medication should never be flushed. The Henderson County Sheriff hosts a prescription pill takeback program several times a year. For more information, visit their website. You may also dispose of your medication by emptying it into a resealable bag and mixing it with coffee grounds, sand, or kitty litter. The pill bottle should be throw away separately with no identifiable information on the bottle.

Q: How can I safely dispose of smoke detectors?

A: Many smoke detector manufacturers have a take back program. For more information check here.

 

 

Please send suggestions and questions for our FAQ section to Megan Piner (mpiner@hendersoncountync.org)