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Waste Away: Dispose of hazardous household items and medications in safe, green ways

The Article says for free.

Went I went to the Salt Lake landfill last month. I was charged $8.00 to enter with my stuff.

I was informed $8.00 was minimum charge. The person who took my money said, "You should have brought more stuff. If the entire car was full you still would have only paid $8.00."

I believe most people would like to do the right thing. However, driving out to a garbage dump with all the big trucks is not fun. The smell is NOT fun. The whole time I'm thinking "I hope I don't get a flat tire."

When I finally make it home from my nice little "do the right thing trip" I have this gray gunk all over the car. So now I have to wash the car.

So I spend $8 . . . over an hour of my time . . . wasted water washing my car & another 35 mins of my time. . . had to have a flat tire repaired for $12 & another hour of my time.

So trip to the garabage can 30 seconds. Trip to the dump almost 3 hours $20 bucks.

Think I'm going back???
(NO)

I was told by a person at the SL County trash place that TV sets and computer monitors can be placed in your trash bin. I called back a couple of years later and got the same answer. Since the trash trucks just dump their stuff in the landfill, the TV sets aren't recycled. Anyone else have experience with TV sets and monitors?

In SL County, at least, the small compact light bulbs can be taken to a county library.

Here in Oregon, we have one of the largest "recycle" efforts in the country. TV sets and computer monitors, as well as other electronics, are recycled via an Electronic Recycling depot. It's a little tough to get to, but one spot makes it worthwhile, as there are so many. It's a $5 charge per item.

I do not like, however, the push for the CFLs in the home, and then having to dispose of them via Hazmat (hazardous material). While it may save "money", it's a curse to the environment as well if not disposed of properly. Think of all the mercury poisonings in the streams that happened while there were people searching for gold. It's not a win-win situation.

Utah can do a much better job about recycling and doing it's part by helping the earth stay healthy. It's part of our legacy as Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve to do so. It just needs to be more convenient - curbside and frequent - for people to participate.

It's a minimum of $8.00 to take items to the Solid Waste Management Facility ("landfill"). It's free for Salt Lake County residents to take items to the Household Hazardous Waste facilities (located near the landfill). Check the Salt Lake County website for 'Hazardous Waste' for more info.

They need to set something up at the grocery stores or somewhere very convenient where you can drop it off for free, and a service goes around and picks it up. Much like the old paper recycling bins that you used to see everywhere.

Your wrong the $8.00 went to the Landfill, it free to take residential waste to the Household Hazardous Facility.
It does cost for small business, or commercial quantities of waste, e-waste is also taken for free from residents but there is again a cost for business.