Hazardous Material Recycling
Hazardous Material Recycling
Some items that may be considered Hazardous Materials are able to be recycled at the Buckhorn Facility ONLY. Please see the list below for the Materials Accepted. This service is available to all residents in Blair County. Tyrone Borough residents may contact their municipal office for all recycling information, including hazardous materials and electronics.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
The IRC hosts an annual Household Hazardous Waste collection to keep these materials out of our homes, water supply, and waste stream. Residents are able to safely dispose of those chemicals that have accumulated around the house and garage. Everyone will need to pre-register before participating in the event and there will be a disposal charge.
NO MEDICATIONS, BATTERIES, ELECTRONICS, SMOKE DETECTORS, FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, THERMOSTATS, EXPLOSIVES, AMMUNITION OR TIRES WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE EVENT.
To learn when this event will be held, or for other questions, please visit our News/Updates page, call our office at 814-942-7472 or email us.
Tyrone Borough residents should contact their municipal office for all recycling information, including hazardous material recycling and electronics recycling.
Materials Accepted / Fees
The IRC Recycling and Composting facility accepts a variety of items for drop-off recycling ONLY at the Buckhorn Facility.
We cannot accept used antifreeze, brake fluid, or other automotive fluids not listed. We do accept these at our annual household hazardous waste collection for proper disposal. These and other chemicals are toxic to people, plants and animals. They can pollute our streams and water ways and should not be dumped down the drain, or disposed of in the regular waste stream.
This chart shows hazardous materials accepted and the fee schedule. You can find a complete list of materials accepted and a description of our composting operations here.
| Materials Accepted | Fee |
|---|---|
| Automotive batteries | Free |
| Re-chargeable batteries (all kinds) | Free |
| Used oil filters | $1 per filter |
| Used motor oil | Free |
| Transmission fluid | Free |
| Power steering fluid | Free |
| Used cooking oil | $2/5 gallon container |
| Compact fluorescent bulbs | $1 each |
| Fluorescent tubes | $1/foot (ex. 2ft tube is $2; 4ft tube is $4, etc.) |
Latex & Oil Based Paint
What is the Difference Between Latex and Oil-Based Paint?
Latex paint is the most popular paint on the market. The main solvent is water. It can be used indoors or outdoors and on many different surfaces. It is preferred by most do-it-yourselfers because of the ease of clean up with soap and water. It consists of four parts: a resin that forms the coating on the surface being painted, a solvent (water) that keeps the paint in liquid form, pigments, and additives, such as biocides.
Oil-based paints, stains and varnishes are always hazardous to our environment and should never be disposed of in the household trash. The IRC holds an annual household hazardous waste collection every year. These materials and other toxic chemicals can be safely disposed of at this event. To learn more about this event, please visit our News/Updates page or call us at 814-942-7472.
Is latex paint hazardous?
Latex paint is less toxic to our environment than oil-based paints because it contains less hazardous ingredients. However, latex paints do contain acrylics, vinyls, and epoxies and can damage your septic system, pollute the water supply or contribute to leachate problems in landfills if they are not disposed of properly.
Indoor water-soluble latex paints may be of low toxicity unless ingested in large quantities. Some interior latex paint can emit different VOC’s, volatile organic compounds, when it is drying. Latex paints that give off high levels of VOC’s when drying can give you a headache and irritate eyes, nose and throat. The VOC’s can come from different biocides or fungicides that are added to latex paints to extend the shelf life, for color, or spreadability.
Latex paint is usable for up to ten years, if it has not been repeatedly frozen or thawed. If paint will still mix when stirred, it is probably usable. Store paint with lid tightly closed and label with color and date of purchase. Professional painters recommend storing tightly sealed cans upside down. Be sure to always follow label directions for storage and use of latex paint.
In the room that is being painted, open the windows and doors fully. Put a box fan in the window directing the air and fumes out of doors. Keep the fan on while painting and for about 48 hours thereafter. Keep small children and pregnant women away from the room where the painting is being done and away from the open cans of paint. Do not use paint that is labeled for “exterior use only” indoors.
How do I dispose of latex paint?
Use it up: This is the easiest and safest way to get rid of your leftover paint. Store small amounts for touch-up or for use on a small project. Once you use up the paint, dispose of the empty paint can in the regular trash or recycle it if possible.
Give it away: If it isn’t possible to use it up or store it for later use, give your leftover paint to someone who can use it. Churches, high schools, recreational groups, camps, or other charitable organizations may be interested. Give it away in the original can and with the label intact.
Dry it out: Liquid latex paint cannot be placed in your regular trash. However, once it is in a solid form latex paint can be disposed of with your household trash. If the hardened paint can be removed from the can, you can recycle the metal can in your curbside recycling bin. Leave the lid off the can so your trash hauler can see that the can is empty or that the paint is hardened.
There are 4 methods for drying out your paint:
- The liquid in paint cans up to one-quarter full can be easily hardened using an absorbent such as kitty litter, newspaper, or sawdust. You can mix it directly in the can.
- Small amounts of leftover latex paint can also be dried by removing the lid and allowing it to air dry in a safe, well ventilated space.
- Purchase a paint hardening agent at your local hardware store, such as, Lowe’s. These are fast working and can generally be used on cans up to 2/3 full.
- If the can is over half-way full, you can pour thin layers (about 1”) into a cardboard box lined with plastic and containing shredded paper. Allow the paint to dry one layer at a time until all of the paint has hardened. This process may take up to several days and can then be disposed of with your household trash.
