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Household Hazardous Waste
The Lenawee County Recycling Drop Off Site is not a hazardous waste collection site. See below list of items to learn more about places you can take your items.
- Recycle Ann Arbor accepts motor oils, vegetable oils, and light bulbs. They charge by the vehicle, and the cost is $3 per day for standard vehicles and $15 per day for large vehicles. 734-971-7400.
- ERG Environmental in Livonia can take a majority of household hazardous waste. They charge $.75 per pound, with a $25 minimum. Call 734-437-9650.
Below is a compilation of frequently asked questions that you may find beneficial. Of course, services and contact information are always changing so it is best to always call the place where you are taking your waste directly.
- Household Hazardous Waste
- Mercury Disposal
- Glucose Monitors & Sharps
- Microwave Ovens
- Prescription Drugs
- Radioactive materials
- Cleaning Supplies
- Motor Oils
- Light Bulbs
- Batteries
- Pesticides
Household Hazardous Waste are products found around the home that require special handling, such as:
- solvent-based paints
- used motor oil
- certain pesticides
- unknown liquids
- batteries
- florescent light bulbs
A community collection event has been traditionally held in the spring each year and we hope to have future events. Please check the EVENTS PAGE for updates.
ERG Environmental Services in Livonia accepts household hazardous waste.
Another source of information is the Michigan Recycling Directory.
What to Do if You Have Mercury in Your Home
Many people have found containers of elemental or metallic mercury in their homes. If you have metallic mercury in your home, you need to exercise extreme caution with it and package it to prevent any leaks or spills. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency to find how to package, transport and dispose of mercury.
US Ecology partnered with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Mercury Collection Program. This effort promoted the collection and proper recycling of mercury.
ERG Environmental Services in Livonia has helped Lenawee County residents with mercury issues.
You can also check the Michigan Recycling Directory.
The disposal of glucose monitors and sharps depends on where they came from.
Residential Use of Sharps
If the glucose testing and injection is done by a resident in their home, they are not regulated.
In Lenawee County, residents can bring their sharps to the following locations for proper disposal:
For mail-in options and sharps collection places in other counties, visit the Sharps Disposal for the Michigan Resident guide.
Commercial
The sharps should be disposed of in accordance with the Medical Waste Regulatory Act, Part 138 of the Public Health Code.
To dispose of non-working microwave ovens, please contact:
Appliance Jack's
Adrian, MI 49221
Phone: 517-263-7439
Or check out the Michigan Recycling Directory
Red Collection Boxes are available for prescription drug disposal during regular business hours at the following locations:
Adrian Police Department
155 East Maumee Street
Adrian, MI
Hudson Police Department
205 Railroad Street
Hudson, MI
Lenawee County Sheriff's Department
405 North Winter Street
Adrian, MI
Raisin Township Safety Department
5225 Occidental Highway
Adrian, MI
Tecumseh Police Department
309 East Chicago Boulevard
Tecumseh, MI
These collection boxes are for prescription drug pills and capsules only; no liquid medications, sharps, or bio-hazard materials.
If you have something containing radioactive material, please contact the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Radioactive Materials Unit at 517-284-6581 or RadioactiveMaterial@Michigan.gov so that they can help ensure that it is disposed of safely.
Cleaning products do not typically contain ingredients that would harm the environment in the quantities that are disposed of by households. The vast majority of cleaning products are water soluble and are formulated for safe disposal in either municipal or home wastewater treatment systems.
Household hazardous waste programs are intended to handle products that may cause a problem if disposed of by common methods, such as down the drain or in the trash.
- Water soluble products (those mixed with water for cleaning), such as laundry and dishwashing detergents; multi-surface cleaners; bleaches; disinfectant cleaners; and liquid metal cleaners/polishes, drain openers and toilet bowl cleaners, can be flushed down the drain with running water.
- Powders should be disposed of in small quantities at a time, so they don't form lumps in the drain.
- Solid cleaning products, such as bar soaps, toilet bowl cleaners and soap scouring pads, can be safely disposed of in the trash.
- Aerosol cans with product left in them can also be placed in the trash.
Remember, just as you shouldn't mix cleaning products together when using them, you shouldn't mix unused products during disposal.
The key to smart use and disposal of any cleaning product is to read the label and follow the directions. If there are no special disposal instructions on the label, then thinking about how you use the product will help you make the right decision.
For disposal recommendations on other products, such as oven cleaners, crystal drain openers and furniture polishes, call the manufacturer's toll-free number or check with your local waste disposal facility.
Source: cleaninginstitute.org
The Lenawee County Solid Wast Department does NOT collect used motor oil; but you may want to contact your local car repair shop or auto parts store.
Incandescent and halogen bulbs can be put in the trash, but make sure to wrap them in newspaper or something similar so whoever comes in contact with them does not get injured.
Florescent lights and bulbs should be treated as hazardous waste, as they contain mercury. They can be turned in at the following locations:
- Lenawee County Building & Grounds Department will crush and dispose of florescent tubed light bulbs for a nominal fee from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on weekdays. They only take the straight, florescent long tubes. Call 517-264-4738 for more information.
- Recycle Ann Abor collects the compact florescent bulbs. Call 734-971-7400.
- Home Depot in Jackson and Ypsilanti collects the compact florescent bulbs.
- ERG Environmental Services in Livonia
- Cleanlites Recycling in Mason
Some batteries are recyclable including lead, or lead acid, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal-hydride, lithium, and lithium-ion batteries.
Alkaline battery systems are safe to dispose of as regular waste due to a regulated decrease in mercury content in 1996. These batteries do contain the reusable materials zinc and manganese, but the recovery process is difficult and dangerous.
- Battery Wholesale located at 1002 N. Main Street in Adrian accepts all recyclable batteries. 517-263-3462 They may be able to help you determine which ones are recyclable.
- Lowe’s located at 1369 Division Street in Adrian accepts lithium and rechargeable batteries - 517-266-1000
- Staples accepts rechargeable batteries - 517-266-1176
- Recycle ANN ARBOR 2950 E. Ellsworth in Ann Arbor accepts lithium and rechargeable batteries 734-971-7400
It’s always best to contact these locations directly for confirmation prior to dropping off your batteries.
The Michigan Clean Sweep program helps protect the state's natural resources and prevent agriculture pollution by ensuring the safe and proper disposal of outdated, unused, unwanted pesticides in Michigan. Clean Sweep sites will accept pesticide products free of charge from any Michigan resident.
View their map to find the closest Clean Sweep site to you.
Pesticides can also be taken to ERG Environmental. Call 734-437-9650 for more information.