Why don't city recycling centers accept hazardous household materials?

Question

Why don't city recycling centers accept hazardous household materials?

Answer 1

Some do.  But they require special handling, which some facilities aren't equipped for.  Properly disposing of hazardous materials is expensive, and not every facility can afford it.

Answer 2

Hazardous wastes have specific characteristics - i.e. toxic, corosive, flammable etc. These items take special training for handling and are much more expenisve to contain, control, recycle and dispose of.

Regular recyclables i.e. aluminum, paper etc. do not require special handling or a trained individual to deal with it.  

Most communities will have a HHW event quarterly or they will have regular hours for a fixed location to take such wastes.

Answer 3

You mean like those CFL lightbulbs?

They contain mercury, which is poisonous, so you have to dispose of those at Home Depot or Lowes in special bins, but I'd be willing to bet most people just throw them in a regular trashcan.

Answer 4

These hazardous materials can be poisonous or corrosive. There are possibilities that these can affect other materials being recycled.

Answer 5

They don't do it because it is costly and they would lose lots of money.

Answer 6

Middlesex County has Household Hazardous waste days, seven times a year.

I can't believe Mercer doesn't have this. Check the county web site or county improvement authority.

Wait, I just checked and this is the web page for mercer county.

http://www.mcia-nj.com/recyclinghazwaste...

everyone go recycle!