Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
What Happens to the Waste Collected at the HHW Facility?
There is no single method that can safely handle all the
different types of waste collected. The wastes are identified and sorted by
treatment or disposal category, and any laboratory analysis or regulatory
requirements completed. The program attempts to reuse and recycle as much waste
as feasible. Wastes that cannot be reused or recycled locally, are shipped
to approved facilities in several states. Some methods used at these facilities
are recycling, fuel-blending, chemical treatment and secure chemical landfilling.
Some specifics for Boulder County's program are listed below.
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Some of the products accepted at the HHW Facility are in
good condition and reusable. These products are made available to the public
free of charge through the program's weekly product giveaway. Every person
taking products for reuse is required to sign a liability waiver stating
that they accept the products at their own risk.
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The HHW Program contracts for antifreeze, used motor oil
recycling and lead acid (auto) battery recycling services. The oil is used
as an industrial fuel and the
batteries are sent to permitted smelting facilities where lead and acid are
recovered for reuse.
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Fuel blending - flammable liquid wastes will be blended into fuel for industrial kilns
and boilers, thus avoiding the use of new oil, petroleum or natural gas
for this purpose.
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Household batteries that can be recycled are recycled through the County's
hazardous waste disposal contractor.
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Elemental mercury from switches and thermostats is recycled.
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The HHW Program contracts with a licensed hazardous waste
contractor for disposal services. Disposal methods include:
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Incineration - pesticides, herbicides, aerosol cans, waxes and other flammable
materials are burned in high temperature incinerators equipped with
monitoring instruments and air pollution control devices.
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Chemical treatment - acids and bases are neutralized, cyanide detoxified and unstable
compounds chemically deactivated. These methods are generally referred
to as "chemical treatment."
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Waste water treatment - unusable latex paints are water-soluble and can be processed with
other industrial wastewaters. This solidification and bio-remediation
process generates a dry sludge which is then landfilled.
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Licensed landfills - wastes for which no other disposal method is available are landfilled
at facilities designed and permitted to accept hazardous wastes.
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