HOUSEHOLD WASTE

THE DES MOINES METROPOLITAN WASTEWATER RECLAMATION AUTHORITY

Useful Links EnviroSense EPA Household Hazardous Waste Iowa Dept.of Natural Resources Metro Waste Authority Polk County USEPA Site Water Environment Federation

; Reduce             Reuse             Recycle

Don’t Poison Your Water

All water on the planet has been used before us. Water is neither created nor destroyed but recycled through the water cycle. Communities above us have made use of the water that we drink today. Nature, water and wastewater plants keep our water safe and prevent the spread of human diseases. Water and wastewater treatment is needed when nature can not clean the water fast enough to prevent pollution by the dense human population.

Water and wastewater facilities are not designed to remove toxic chemicals. Many toxic chemicals pass through treatment plants and into the environment untreated. It is not unusual for a household to have between 3 and 10 gallons of toxic chemicals! We must be careful in how we dispose of these chemicals. If we pour them down the drain, we could be poisoning our own water!

Just how do we define a hazardous chemical?

1.  If it can burn easily like gasoline or kerosene, it is hazardous.

3.  If it is corrosive or toxic. The label on the container may tell you.

What You Can Do To Help

Buy only what you need and then use the product according to label directions. If unable to use the entire product, give it to someone (neighbor or public service organization) who can.

Help protect the water environment; do not pour liquid hazardous chemicals down the drain or dump them into the street. Remember, most storm drains empty directly to our rivers and streams without any treatment at all! Don’t put them in your trash. The liquid may leak out of the landfill and poison our groundwater.

Safe Disposal Methods

Take used oil to a used oil collection site. Ask for the nearest collection site when purchasing your oil. Or you may take used oil (in disposable containers, i.e. milk jugs) and filters to the Regional Collection Center (RCC) at 225 Prairie Drive, Bondurant. For a list of service stations and similar business that accept used oil contact the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and request a copy of the Iowa Automotive Directory.

Mix old gasoline with gas line antifreeze and mix with new gasoline and use normally.

Allow latex paint to dry and dispose with regular household trash. Be sure to leave the lids off the cans when placed at the curb.

Take pesticides to the RCC. Banned pesticides (aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, heptachlor, silvex, 2-4-4-T) may also be taken to the RCC.

Take useable cleaners (drain, floor & rug, sanitizers) to the Swap Shop at the RCC.

Small Business

Small business (schools, churches, non-profit organizations, municipalities, and farms) which generate 220 pounds or less a month or about 25 gallons are classified as CESQGs or Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators may be eligible for Metro’s RCC Business Program. Call 967-5512 for information.

For Additional Information Contact:

Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Facility, Industrial Pretreatment Coordinator, 3000 Vandalia Road, Des Moines, Iowa 50317-1346 or phone 323-8000.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Wallace State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0034 or phone 281-4367.