how to dispose of…

The following are all common household items that should be disposed of in ways other than just throwing them out with the regular trash. See below for info.

• batteries: To find more detailed information on properly disposing of batteries, go to the EHSO website (Environment, Health and Safety Online) here. It gives an excellent summary table for the various types of batteries and best ways to dispose of them. Basically, unless it’s an alkaline, manganese, or carbon zinc battery, you have to do something else besides just throw it in the trash. To find your nearest drop-off site, consult the RBRC website (Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation Program) here.
• paint: With water-based paint, you’ll need to fill a paper bag with absorbent material (kitty litter, sand, saw dust, etc.) and pour the paint into the bag. Allow to dry completely in a well-ventilated area away from children, pets and direct heat, then you can throw it away in the trash. If you only have paint residue in a can to dispose of, remove the lid and let it dry completely, then remove the skin, discard in the trash and recycle the can. To find more information on paint use and disposal (especially oil-based paints), check out paint.org, a very useful, informative site.
• grease: According to eHow.com, follow these steps to dispose of used grease/cooking oil. Allow the grease to cool completely. If the oil can’t be reused, strain it into a clean, sealable container (e.g. plastic jars, old coffee cans). If there’s only a small amount of grease, you can throw it away in the container. If there’s more to discard, take the filled container to the landfill. You can also add the grease to your compost pile, or recycle it by taking it to a restaurant and asking to add your grease to their used grease bin. Most restaurants take these bins to be recycled into other products.
• motor oil: Take your used motor oil to automotive places, which accept it to recycle. Also, most waste haulers offer curbside collection of used motor oil. You can find more information at earth911.com, as well as where your local oil disposal centers are located.

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