Ammunition, Explosives and Fireworks - Contact Chief Hamilton at the County Sheriff's Department (388-4579).

Antifreeze -  Used anti-freeze is accepted by some radiator service centers for a small fee.  Call a radiator service center near you.  Anti-freeze is also accepted at the County HHW Collection Program.

Asbestos  - Call the New York State Asbestos Hotline at 457-2072

Automobile Fluids - such as anti-freeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid and gasoline (motor oil is the exception, see "Oil, Motor") can be brought the County Household Hazardous Waste Program.

Batteries, Auto  - Used auto batteries should be returned to the service station or battery retailer when a new one is purchased.  State Law requires that any auto battery purchased without a return will be charged a $5.00 surcharge. This surcharge will be refunded if you bring in your used battery within thirty days.  Used batteries can always be returned to locations where batteries are sold or to metal scrap dealers.

Batteries, Button - Some Button Batteries Silver Oxide button batteries are often used in hearing aids and some jewery. They can be returned to many jewlers. Other button batteries contain cadmium which is a hazardous material but can be disposed of in the trash in small quanties. They can be recycled at the Technology Surplus Store (377-2200) for a small fee.

Batteries, Household, Non-Rechargable (Alkaline)
Most household batteries (Alkaline type) are not environmentally hazardous and can be thrown in the trash safely. Battery companies have voluntarily revised their manufacturing process to eliminate the use of mercury. If you would like to recycle them to save landfill space and recover their component materials you can take them to the Technology Surplus Store and they will recycle them for a nominal fee.

Batteries, Rechargeable - A recently passed state law requires any retailer who sells rechargable batteries to accept them back for recycling. Using rechargable batteries will save you money in the long run and help the environment because the can be reused over and over again and therefore fewer batteries need to be made and fewer need to be disposed of. But when it is finally time to dispose of them they need to be disposed of properly. For more information see brochure on Rechargable batteries.

Batteries, Lithium - Lithium batteries are hazardous and are not rechargable as distinguished from Lithium Ion Batteries, which are rechargable, and thus not accepted by retail battery collection programs. These batteries are sold as longer lasting non-rechargable batteries. Becasue they are not rechargable and can only be recycled for a fee and because there are better alternatives The County Recycling and household hazardous waste program recommends that these batteries not be purchased. If you do purchase them they can be recycled for a fee at the Technology Surplus Store (377-2200).

Carbon Monoxide Detectors - See Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors.

Cell Phones - Can be returned to any Cell Phone Service Provider Store like Sprint, Verizon Wireless, T-Moble, etc.) They are also accepted at most places that take electronics.

Cleaners, Lawn and Garden Chemicals, Gasoline, Kerosene, Solvents and Pool Chemicals and Photo Chemicals
If any of these items are legal and usable, the best way to manage them is to use them up according to the directions on the label.  If you do not have a use for them, check with family, neighbors and friends or community organizations. This is a better alternative than bringing them to the household hazardous waste facility. However, they are accepted by the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program.

Electronics, Computer Components & Televisions
Computers, monitors and other computer peripheries as well as TVs and many other electronics can be brought free of charge to the Technology Surplus Store (377-2200) off of Route 5 west of Scotia or Computer Advantage (631-4303) in the Crosstown Plaza, as well as some other locations. For further information visit the page on Electronics Recycling.

Lighting, Fluorescent - Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) that you screw into lighting fixture like a regular lightbulb can be brought to any Home Depot, Lowe's Store or or Aubuchon Hardware at no charge. Fluorescent Tubes, including straight tubes and various shapes such as U-shaped or circular can also be brought to the Technology Surplus Store (377-2200) or Wolberg Lighting (381-9231) for a small fee. Fluorescent tubes no longer than four feet can be brought to the HHW Program. 

Lighting, Normal Incandescent bulbs should be thrown in the trash.

Lighting, Other Types such as High Intensity Discharge, Halogen, and Neon lighting can be brought to the Technology Surplus Store (377-2200) for a fee. 

Needles, Home Generated Medical 
Kiosks can be found at Aumiller's Pharmacy (393-2173) and in the Pharmacy Section at the Rotterdam Square Mall KMart. Hospitals in NYS are required by law to accept medical needles from residents. Call the hospital to find out the time and location that they accept material. For further details obtain the brochure "Disposing of Home Use Medical Needles in Schenectady County"

Oil, Heating or Lubricating - Bring any waste heating oil or lubricating oil to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection.

Oil, Motor - Used motor oil can be returned to any service station or major oil retailer for no charge.  Law allows retailers to designate a service station that will accept waste motor oil for them.  They are required by law to accept it under most circumstances without charge.  Please be considerate of station owners and only bring in motor oil while they are open and do not leave it without talking to an attendant.  Report uncooperative stations to your regional Environment Conservation Officers (ECOs) at 357-2047.

Paint
1. Determine if paint is water or oil based by reading the label.  Paint is water based if the label says that it is water or latex based paint, or it cleans up in water.  Paint is oil based if the label says it is flammable or directs cleanup with turpentine or other solvent.
2. Latex paint may be donated to Schenectady not-for-profit groups (Call the Environmental Clearinghouse of Schenectady at 370-4125). Make sure the paint is not sandy and does not smell bad.  The can should also be at least 1/2 full.
3. If there is only a small amount of Latex in the can, dry it out by adding absorbent material such as kitty litter, sawdust, or commercial spill absorbent.  Let it sit outside to dry.  Once it is dry, place in the trash.
4. Bringing the empty paint cans to the County Recycling Center on Hetcheltown Road in Glenville to recycle them. The cans can have a thin skin of dried paint. Do not rinse paint down the drain or onto your lawn. The can also be placed in trash.
5. Oil based paint should be given away or brought to the HHW program. 
Download the "6 Easy Steps to Getting Rid of your old Unwanted Paint".

Propane Cylinders - Larger propane cylinders (20 lbs. or grill size) are refillable at (or returnable to) stores that sell them in exchange for a new cylinder. Aubuchon Hardware in Glenville (399-4003) will take cylininders without purchasing a new one for a small fee.   or to the Colonie Landfill on Route 9 in Latham (783-2827). There will be a minimal charge at any of these locations. One lb. camping stove cylinders can be brought to the County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors - Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors made by BRK or First Alert can be delivered back to the Company. For details and instructions call 1-800-323-9005. These items by any manufacturer contain small quanitites of radioactive material. They can be thrown in the trash but no more than one in any waste collection.

For Further information Contact:
Jeff Edwards
Schenectady County Recycling Program
Schenectady County Department of Economic Development & Planning
Schaffer Heights, Suite 303
107 Nott Terrace
Schenectady NY 12308
Phone (518)386-2225
Fax (518)382-5539
Email recycling@schenectadycounty.com