Household Hazardous Waste

Since I am thinking outside of the garbage can this week, I decided to make a trip to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility out on Farm Road in Shelby Farms. Improperly disposing of household hazardous wastes by pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or (in some cases) putting them out with the trash can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health.

While the collection facility is not exactly close to my house, it is in a prime location. Driving through Shelby Farms—one of the largest urban parks in the United States with approximately 700 acres of wetlands and hardwood forest—one can’t help but think about the importance of protecting our natural resources. Of primary concern to Shelby County residents is protecting the Memphis Sands Aquifer, our source of drinking water.

Now that the permanent collection facility is open, Shelby County residents can drop off household materials twice a week, rather than just once a year. The facility is open every Tuesday and Saturday from 8:30am-1:00pm. Since opening in late November, the facility has had over 2700 people drop off household hazardous waste.

Inmates who work at the facility unload hazardous items from cars, in a convenient drive-through system. Items are then sorted into four categories: flammable, non-flammable, caustic, and acidic. From there items are packaged in boxes, barrels, or on pallets for pick up by a variety of vendors.


The number one collected item at the facility is latex paint. However, latex paint is not hazardous when dry. Lisa Williams, the Environmental Programs Coordinator, suggests removing the lid and placing the can in a safe, well-ventilated area. Cans with ¼ or less will dry in a few days. For cans with greater volume, you can add mulch or cat-litter to dry up the paint. Once dry, it is okay to place the can in a separate bag in your garbage.

However, since we are thinking green here, remember you can donate unopened cans of paint to schools, community, religious, and theater groups or even a neighbor. Also, if you take the time to clean the can, it can be recycled or reused.


The second most popular item collected at the facility is electronics. They will accept all computers (PCs and laptops), monitors, ink cartridges, printers (small desktop & combo/fax), scanners, servers, audio/visual equipment, telephones/cell phones, typewriters, calculators, circuit boards, and misc. electrical equipment. (They cannot accept microwaves or TVs.) The electronic equipment is picked up by local company 5R Processors, who recycles it. (You can also drop off electronics, including TVs, at 5R’s warehouse at 3274 Democrat Road.)

I was specifically interested in properly disposing of CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs), since they will soon be the norm. Currently Williams says they get a lot of fluorescent tubes, but not many light bulbs. Once incandescent light bulbs are obsolete, this is sure to change. If the facility begins collecting a lot of CFLs then they may be able to find a vendor who recycles them. In the meantime, they can safely store them and keep the mercury out of our landfills.


For a full listing of acceptable drop-off items, visit the Household Hazardous Waste Facility website. Set aside items at home and on your next visit to Shelby Farms, drop them off!