Collection seasons have begun and our county residents are hungry to clean out the garage or basement of old unwanted items. The list includes old paint, varnish, chemicals, tires, that microwave or computer that died last winter, stacks of old magazines or newspapers and some of it just plain trash. So where should we be taking all of these unwanted items? It depends.

There are numerous disposal options for nearly everything. You may have to deal with it yourself (pharmaceuticals), you may have to wait until a certain time to attend an organized collection, or you might be able to take your unwanted items to one of the many collection sites available throughout the county. Lets study examples.

Last August I researched information and wrote an article on the proper disposal of pharmaceuticals. To review, you should alter them so they cannot be used illegally by a person looking for drugs. Pills should be crushed and/or vinegar added with pepper or other foul tasting substance into a paste. Liquids can have flour or corn starch added to make paste. Triple bag in zip type bags and wrap in duct or packaging tape to disguise the contents and place into the trash. Never, never put it down the sewer.

If you have old tires to dispose of, you should take them to any of the numerous tire dealers throughout the county. Yes there is a disposal fee. If it has a metal rim the cost is more. Next time you purchase tires, make certain you leave the old ones with the dealer. I know of no free disposal options for a tire.

Appliances such as refrigerator, microwave, stove, dish washer, dehumidifier or dryer should be taken to a licensed appliance salvage operation. Out of site, out of mind will not work if your unit with it’s serial number shows up in a ditch or illegal junk site. Places currently accepting appliances (yes, there may be a disposal fee) are R&K Recycling in Albert Lea, I-35 Auto Recycling in Clarks Grove, Albert Lea Transfer Station and Waste Management of Southern Minnesota. Like tires, you should send your old unit back with the company that delivered your new one. It’s a lot easier than trying to find a cheaper option and hauling it yourself.

The Freeborn County Environmental Services Department has held an electronics collection every year since 2002. That is when the legislature banned businesses from landfilling electronic devices. We have always allowed anyone from the county to attend and dispose of electronics at these collections, but the program was specifically designed to help business with a disposal option. All that changed last year when the law was expanded to include everyone and prohibited “video display devices” from the landfill. All units, including printers, copy machines, tower, etc. that are brought to our collections are totally recycled. We may have to look at expanding this program if people do not take advantage of other disposal options such as the City of Albert Lea transfer station and the Waste Management facility north of Albert Lea. The general public is far outpacing the business customer we were designed to assist and we’ll need to explore options for increased collection opportunities in the future.

Bicycles, lawn mowers, pieces of scrap iron, broken metal tools and other items made of metal have more value than ever. With metal prices at record highs, putting these items in the trash is not a good choice. The businesses mentioned above or other scrap dealers in this area are always looking for metals. A trunk full of metal is probably worth the extra effort to sell for salvage as opposed to the garbage truck. Give it some thought and call our office at 507-377-5186 for more information.

There are disposal options set up for nearly everything. All you need to do is ask, make a phone call to the radio station Party Line or call our office and we’ll help you find a good disposal choice.

Randy Tuchtenhagen is the solid waste officer for the Freeborn County Environmental Services Department.