When spring cleaning this year, set aside hazardous items to take to one of Montgomery County's Hazardous waste collection sites. The following are guidelines for the dropoff sites.

It's very important to make sure that all Household Hazardous Waste is removed from the waste stream so that it does not contaminate groundwater, injure waste management workers and equipment.

HHW is the unused or leftover portion of household products containing toxic chemicals. Hazardous usually can be identified by labels such as: Warning, Caution, Poisonous, Toxic, Flammable, Corrosive, Reactive, Explosive.

Hazardous waste items include:

Automotive Products, including car batteries, motor oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, antifreeze, kerosene and gasoline.

Pesticides/Herbicides

Household Products including drain and oven cleaners, spot remover, dry cleaning fluid, rug cleaners.

Paint Products including paint thinner or turpentine, paint remover, oil based paint, furniture stripper and refinisher.

Miscellaneous Products including dyes, lighter fluids, concrete or asphalt sealers and swimming pool chemicals.

To cut down on HHW, consider using alternatives, such as baking soda and vinegar, for common household chores.

To safely package and transport HHW, please use the following guidelines:

1. Keep all products in original containers with the labels intact.

2. Wrap leaking containers in newspaper and place in plastic bag or garbage container making sure that all lids and caps are secure.

3. Place items securely in a box for transport.

4. Keep chemicals which may react with one another in separate parts of the vehicle.

5. Do not leave materials in hot, unventilated areas for long periods of time.

6. Do not smoke near chemicals.

County residents may bring materials to any of the regional locations. The amount is limited to 220 pounds per vehicle, and each container can be no more than five gallons.

The following items will not be accepted: Latex paint, explosives, ordinance material, infectious biologically-active wastes, large pressurized cylinders, radioactive material, household batteries and tires.

Call the Recycling Hotline at (610) 278-3618 if you have questions regarding the disposal of latex paint disposal, or other recycling issues.

Residents are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.