Several towns in northern Androscoggin and Franklin counties are scheduled to hold special collection days to allow residents to dispose of hazardous household products.

This is the ninth year in a row that communities are able to safely dispose of the household products they no longer have use for.

This year’s event sponsored by Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments has a “make a clean sweep” theme and provides tips for safer alternatives for the home, garage and garden.

Products, according to a press release, are considered hazardous if they are ignitable, toxic, corrosive or reactive; look for the words poison, corrosive, toxic, volatile, flammable, caution, danger or warning on the label.

While these products are considered safe when used according to label instructions, they can be a fire hazard, poison people or animals and pollute the home and natural environment, if disposed of improperly.

This year, sites won’t be accepting latex paint at the collection. Latex paint is not hazardous and should be used up, if possible, according to the release.

Small amounts of latex paint could be donated to theater departments. It is dried up using an absorbent such as clay-based kitty litter or shredded newspaper with the hardened paint taken out of the can and disposed of with household trash and the can could be recycled.

If there is a small amount in can, the lid could be left open to let the paint dry up, and disposed of in the same manner above.

dperry@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link