Residential

Many household items are not safe for our water system. These items pollute our waterways when they are poured down the drain, on the ground or into storm sewers.

PET WASTE: Get rid of it right away!

Poop Fairy Yard SignPet waste is fecal matter (poop) deposited by pets. When it isn’t picked up, it can be carried away by stormwater flows (streets, sidewalks, trails, yards, etc.)

  • Pet waste can travel with stormwater runoff to the Rio Grande and can transmit diseases to other pets
  • When walking with your pet, take a plastic bag along and dispose of the waste properly in a trash receptacle.
  • Be aware of any Animal Control ordinances that govern pet waste clean up –if the law is violated, you could be subject to prosecution.
  • Request a poop fairy yard sign

FLUIDS: Dispose of it properly!

  • Return used motor oil for recycling: Never pour oil onto the street or down a storm drain. Most gas stations accept used oil, and so do many automotive stores.
  • Remove automotive fluids from your driveway: Soak up liquids with wipes or absorb the surface oil with granular coconut husk or kitty litter/clay and dispose of in the trash receptacle. Once dry, wet the stain with water and scrub with a stiff brush and a paste made from baking soda and water, or a few drops of dish detergent. Absorb after 10–60 minutes. Repeat as needed.
  • Keep fats, oils and grease out of storm drains
  • Follow any instructions for use and disposal provided on product labels.
  • Share unused products with friends, neighbors, or local groups.
  • Never burn or bury hazardous waste; this can cause water and air pollution.
  • Never pour hazardous waste down street drains or storm sewers, or dump along roadside.

YARD WASTE: Keep it clean!

Yard waste consists of leaves, grass, branches, and anything else from your yard. When it rains, it can be washed into the street and go down a storm drain.

  • Avoid dumping your yard waste into the trash.
  • Check the City Ordinances. Investigate the rules and regulations that govern yard waste disposal in your city or county.
  • Use a compost bin.
  • Shred your leaves.
  • Sweep sidewalks and driveways – never hose them.
  • Keep fertilizers, pesticides, and weed killers out of storm drains: use as instructed on the label to avoid over-application (when too much is applied the unused portion can be washed off with rain) and properly dispose of containers. Any unused pesticides or fertilizers that you don’t want can be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center.

TRASH: Clean it up!

  • Never litter - always dispose of trash in a proper container
  • Keep trash bins and recycling bins secure from wind until trash day
  • Volunteer for trash clean-up events
  • Try to avoid excessive packaging when making purchases

Household Hazardous Waste

Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, flammable, or reactive ingredients are considered household hazardous waste. Products such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides that contain potentially dangerous ingredients require special care when you dispose of them. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center accepts most of these wastes and there is no charge to use this resource.

Examples of household hazardous waste items (not all inclusive!)

Appliances

  • Air conditioners
  • Microwave ovens
  • Refrigerators & freezers

Automotive and marine/boat products

  • Antifreeze
  • Automobile batteries
  • Brake fluid
  • Carburetor cleaner
  • Engine degreaser
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Flares
  • Gasoline
  • Transmission fluid
  • Used motor oil

Batteries

  • Household batteries

Electronics

  • Computers
  • Televisions

Empty tanks and containers

  • Butane and propane tanks
  • Commercial gas cylinders
  • Diving tanks
  • Empty containers
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Helium tanks
  • Scuba tanks
  • Underground storage tanks

Glues and cements

  • Contact Cement
  • Epoxy
  • General purpose glue
  • Instant glues
  • Model cement
  • Rubber cement
  • Rubber cement thinner

Hobby chemicals

  • Artist’s paints
  • Chemistry sets
  • Photographic materials

Household cleaners

  • All-purpose cleaners
  • Ammonia
  • Antibacterial products and disinfectants
  • Chlorine bleach
  • Drain opener
  • Furniture polish
  • Metal cleaners
  • Oven cleaner
  • Rust remover
  • Spot and stain remover
  • Toilet bowl cleaner

Indoor pesticides

  • Ant/roach killer
  • Flea killers: sprays, foggers, powders
  • Flying insect killer
  • Lice shampoo
  • Mothballs
  • Rat poison

Miscellaneous household goods

  • Asbestos
  • Cooking oil
  • Empty containers
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Smoke detectors
  • Treated wood

Outdoor pesticides

  • Garden Fungicides
  • Lawn, garden, or house plant insect killer
  • Slug poison
  • Weed killers, weed and feed products
  • Wood preservatives

Paint and solvents

  • Empty Containers
  • Latex paint
  • Lead-based paint
  • Oil-based paint
  • Other solvents
  • Paint stripper
  • Paint thinner
  • Spray paint
  • Varnish/lacquer

Personal products

  • Hair color
  • Hairspray
  • Medicines
  • Nail polish
  • Nail polish remover

Products with mercury

  • Fluorescent lamps
  • Jewelry
  • Mercury fever thermometers
  • Mercury-containing thermostats