MSU Recycling Center Offering Free Hazardous Waste Disposal Event

An earlier version of this article included incorrect information. The article has been updated to reflect the correct information.

When it comes to "getting rid" of things in the house, that can mean a lot of different things in Michigan.

Can the item be donated? Can it be thrown away? Or, is it something that needs to be disposed of specially?

What Counts as Household Hazardous Waste?

There are quite a few items that can't be donated or thrown away in the state of Michigan. And I'm not talking about that dusty, musty couch that's been sitting in your basement for years (you just need to pay for a special pick up for that). I'm talking about hazardous materials.

You wouldn't necessarily think that your typical Michigan household is full of hazardous materials, but think again. There are plenty of things that you use throughout your day that might be considered household hazardous waste and therefore can't just be thrown in your everyday household trash.

When and Where Free Hazardous Waste Collection is Happening in Greater Lansing

If you live in the Greater Lansing area, the Ingham County Health Department is hosting a household hazardous waste collection for the next two months.

This is your opportunity to drop off chemicals, paints, and more. And if you're an Ingham County resident, this service is free! Just head to 5303 South Cedar Street in Lansing and follow the signs to the facility.

You can drop off your hazardous household waste from 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays now through September 29. Just make sure your hazardous material are in containers such as plastic bins or cardboard boxes, NOT garbage bags.

What Household Items Can You Bring?

If you're curious what kinds of items are accepted, here's a look at what you can take:

Acids & Bases: ammonia, bleach, pool chemicals, & toilet bowl cleaners
Aerosol products
Antifreeze
Automotive products: brake, steering, transmission fluids and used products
Cleaners & Polishes
Flammables & Gasoline: Gasoline must be dropped off in the approved container, which will not be returned.
Fluorescent Lights & Ballasts: CLF, HID, LED, incandescent and halogen
Broken bulbs can go in the trash. Bulbs may be transported safely by placing them between layers of cloth towels to prevent them from breaking.
Fuel oil: Fuel oil containers cannot be returned.
Home cleaning products
Oil-based Paints & Paint products: mineral spirits, stains, and thinners (latex paint not accepted)
Pesticides, Herbicides & Fungicides
Photographic Chemicals
Rechargeable Batteries: lead, nickel-cadmium, lithium-ion, mercury
Sharps: epi-pens, lancets, needles; sharps should be in puncture-resistant, sealable containers.
Small propane tanks: one pound only
Wood preservatives.

If you're unsure about anything, Ingham County also has an explicit list of wastes that are not accepted. You can learn more here.

11 Common Household Items You Can't Throw Away in Michigan

This list comes from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and its official landfill guidelines, outlining what Michigan bans from disposal and where those everyday items actually need to go instead.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

17 Items Michigan Goodwills Will Not Accept as Donation

Spring cleaning is on the way, which means you'll be going through the house and bagging up items you no longer want or need. Before you immediately head to the nearest Goodwill, you'll want to see if they'll actually accept that donation. Check out what Michigan Goodwills will not accept as donation.

Gallery Credit: Kristen Matthews

10 Spring Cleaning Chores Only Midwesterners Have To Do

Midwest winters sure give us a lot of extra things to do when the weather warms up. Here are some things you won't want to forget in your spring cleaning endeavors.