What’s in them? In an average computer monitor: 3.8 pou- nds of lead, 4.2 pounds of copper, 15 pounds of silica, 8.5 pounds of aluminum, smaller bits of 32 other materials.

The law says: After Jan. 1, 2006 you can’t junk them in a landfill or transfer station anymore. Businesses already have to recycle them in Maine.

So what can you do? Check to see if your local transfer station will take them. Forty towns got money last year to build universal waste sheds to store things like computers.

For Lewiston and Auburn: The cities don’t recycle these yet.
FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS
What’s in them? In a four-foot bulb there’s between 4 to 12 milligrams of mercury. About 2 million are sold each year in Maine.

The law says: Starting in January 2005, you can’t toss long florescent bulbs or squiggly ones – or any mercury-added products – in the trash. Maine banned the sale of mercury thermometers in 2002. By July 2006, the sale of mercury-filled measuring instruments like cooking thermometers and blood-pressure cuffs, is also banned.

So what can you do? Don’t break the bulbs – that’s how the mercury gets out. Again, check with your local transfer station. Worst-case scenario: Hang onto them until January when transfer stations have to recycle them.

For Lewiston and Auburn: Lewiston accepts residential fluorescent bulbs at the Solid Waste and Recovery Facility off River Road; Auburn Public Works accepts residential fluorescent bulbs at the Gracelawn Road facility year-round.
PAINT
What’s in it? Oil-based: organic solvents than can cause eye irritation, cracked skin and, if inhaled long enough, brain damage. Latex-based: lots of water, general low toxicity.

The law says: There’s nothing that prohibits it from being tossed in the trash.

So what can you do? If it’s latex-based, pop the top off, let it evaporate (you can speed the process along by adding kitty litter,) and toss. If it’s oil-based, hang onto it until your community’s annual hazardous household waste collection day (and just hope that they have one) or try to use it up. That same advice applies to paint thinner.

For Lewiston and Auburn: Wait for the household hazardous waste collection day this fall to bring in oil-based paint.
BATTERIES
What’s in them? Depends on the type. Alkaline batteries (AA, D) made after 1993 contain less mercury than they used to (from 1 percent by weight to less than 0.025 percent). Rechargeable batteries contain nickel cadmium, lithium or other toxics.

The law says: Alkaline batteries aren’t affected by the law above, and so far, neither are button cell batteries, such as for hearing aids. Manufacturers have set up recycling programs for rechargeable batteries in Maine, but they are still legal for households to trash.

So what can you do? Some companies will take alkaline batteries for a fee and some transfer stations take them as well. Call the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp. at 1-877-2-RECYCLE for a nearby rechargeable battery dropoff location (same dropoff points now take cell phones.)

For Lewiston and Auburn: Auburn Public Works used to collect batteries to recycle, but doesn’t anymore. Lewiston accepts residential 12-volt lead acid auto batteries and rechargeable batteries like the sort in power tools and cell phones.
WATERY/DIRTY GAS
What’s in it: Unleaded gas has the carcinogens benzene and ethylene, highly flammable.

The law says: It’s illegal to dump anywhere, including down the drain (same for diesel.)

So what can you do? It can be added a bit at a time to normal gasoline – no more than a gallon or two to a full tank – and it shouldn’t hurt anything, “but,” says Carol Fuller at AVCOG, “most people don’t want to be bothered with that to tell you the truth.” Think ahead and use up the gasoline in things like lawnmowers before storing them for the season.

For Lewiston and Auburn: Wait for the household hazardous waste collection day this fall.
OLD PESTICIDES
What’s in it? Toxins

That law says: You cannot bury obsolete pesticides. Newer pesticides can be legally put in the household trash.

So what can you do? Every fall the Board of Pesticide Control does a statewide collection of banned pesticides – DDT, lead arsenate, 2,4,5-T – and any other pesticide that’s caked, frozen or unusable. Homeowners can apply to take part year-round. Spokeswoman Kelly Bourdeaux said they collected 6,800 pounds last fall from 62 people.
USED OIL
What’s in it? Heavy metals and hydrocarbons

The law says: It’s illegal to dump anywhere, including down the drain.

So what can you do? Many garages take customers’ waste oil and so do some transfer stations. Call 287-2651 for the nearest Maine Oil Recycling Program drop-off location. Carry oil in a closed plastic container, if possible.

For Lewiston and Auburn: Both public works departments accept used motor oil and antifreeze year-round.

Sources: Department of Environmental Protection; State Planning Office; Environmental Protection Agency; Computer Take Back Campaign; Natural Resources Council of Maine; cities of Lewiston and Auburn