Valparaiso-based Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction will help Porter County residents with their spring cleaning by providing a collection event that will accept old tires and household hazardous waste. Restrictions or fees may apply.
Unlike the first collection of each year in previous years, electronics and appliances will not be accepted, as there are other readily available options to recycle those items.
The tire and household hazardous waste collection will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Porter County Expo Center/Fair Grounds, 215 E. Division Road, Valparaiso. Attendees should enter Gate 3. Attendees may experience long wait times.
The first four tires up to 20 inches are free; the disposal fee for each additional tire up to 20 inches is $3. Residents can dispose of tires from 21 to 25 inches for $5 each, and tires more than 25 inches for $15 each.
Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients are considered to be “household hazardous waste” or “HHW,” and require special care when they are discarded. For a complete list of acceptable items, visit www.PorterCountyRecycling.org.
Old gas cans will be exchanged for new environmentally friendly 2.5-gallon gas cans. Supplies of these cans are limited, and they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Limit one new gas can per vehicle/family. Gas cans are compliments of Northwest Indiana Clean Air.
For more information, call Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction, 465-3694, or visit www.PorterCountyRecycling.org to learn more.
What's Accepted on May 13?
Aerosols; anti-freeze; oil; batteries (household and automotive); corrosives; mercury containing products (fluorescent tubes, CFLs, thermometers, thermostats, etc.); oil-based paint, thinners and solvents; pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and other poisons; diesel fuel, gasoline, kerosene, other flammable liquids; ammunition and expired medications.
Controlled medications, compressed gas cylinders, medical waste, asbestos, grill propane cylinders, commercial hazardous waste, containers larger than five gallons, explosives and radioactive materials (like smoke detectors) will not be accepted.
Though latex paint is acceptable, it is not considered household hazardous waste and can safely be thrown in the trash when dried completely. The staff at Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction asks residents to be discerning when bringing their old latex paint to collection events. Latex paint should not be brought to the collections if cans are smaller than one gallon; gallon cans are less than half full; cans are corroded/rusty; rattle noises are heard when cans are shaken; paint has been sitting longer than one year; paint was stored in unheated areas, like garages or sheds, over winter; or paint that was obviously frozen.
