Summit County

ReWorks is a resource available to Summit County residents that provides them a safe place to dispose of common household waste. The service is free to all Summit County residents and the service is intended to ensure that less potentially harmful waste ends up in places like landfills. The initial planning for this service began in 1989. Now ReWorks creates 50 year plans for solid household hazardous waste. They also fundraise and advocate for more commercial and curbside recycling in the areas that they serve.

Some of the ideas that are considered Hazardous Household waste and can be disposed at Reworks disposal facility in Stow, OH are:

Kerosene	Lead Acid/Car Batteries
Lighter Fluid	Mercury Thermometers
Metal Polish with Solvent	Moth Balls
Nail Polish and Nail Polish Remover	Oven Cleaners
Paint – Oil Based	Paint Products in Aerosol Cans
Paint Thinner	Pesticide/Insecticide
Pesticides & Containers	Products in Aerosol Cans

Portage County

The Portage County Solid Waste District is responsible for safely disposing of the same items in Portage County. The district was founded in 1989. The Portage County Solid Waste District also provides education on composting at home and other ways that people can be active recyclers in their communities.

Why These Services Are Needed

Disposal of Hazardous Household Waste is important because when those items are disposed in landfills the chemicals can find themselves in the soil and drinking water which can pose a health threat to humans, animals and plants that live in those ecosystems.

Alternatives To Hazardous Household Waste

The United States Environment Protection Agency provides citizens with ways to make household cleaning products that don’t contain those hazardous chemicals in order to eliminate the need for such costly disposal methods.

Drain Cleaner: Use a plunger or plumber’s snake.

Glass Cleaner:Mix one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in one quart of water.

Spray on and use newspaper to dry.

Furniture Polish:Mix one teaspoon of lemon juice in one pint of mineral or vegetable oil

and wipe furniture.

Rug Deodorizer: Liberally sprinkle carpets with baking soda. Wait at least 15 minutes

and vacuum. Repeat if necessary.

Silver Polish: Boil two to three inches of water in a shallow pan with one teaspoon of salt,

one teaspoon of baking soda and a sheet of aluminum foil. Totally

submerge silver and boil for two to three more minutes. Wipe away

tarnish and repeat if necessary.

Mothballs: Use cedar chips, lavender flowers, rosemary, mints or white peppercorns.