How can I recycle:
 
 

Glass

Food and beverage containers only - separated by color and rinsed. Caps & lids must be removed and discarded. Labels are okay.

Acceptable examples:

  • Clear (pickle jars, mayonnaise jars, juice jars, ketchup bottles)
  • Green (wine bottles beer bottles)
  • Brown (beer & juice bottles, e.g., prune juice)
  • Blue (sparkling fruit flavored water bottles - place in bin with green glass)

No plate glass, light bulbs, ceramics, or heat treated glass (ex. PYREX), etc.


Cell Phones

Anyone who has upgraded to a new cell phone has grappled with the question of what to do with the old one. Stick it in a drawer somewhere? Toss it in the trash can? Every year in the United States, 40 million to 50 million mobile phones face one of these two fates.

One option for consumers, according to industry experts and many environmentalists, is to donate old phones to people who can still use them. Keep Hall Beautiful, in partnership with CollectiveGood (www.collectivegood.com) is looking to do just that. You can drop your used cell phone off at the Keep Hall Beautiful office at 604 Green Street, NE in Gainesville. For more information call 770.531.1102 or visit their web site at http://www.keephallbeautiful.org.


Rechargeable Batteries

Hall County Resource Recovery Division, in partnership with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) can help you recycle your portable rechargeable batteries. These batteries are commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys. RBRC recycles the following battery chemistries: Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion) and Small Sealed Lead* (Pb). Unfortunately, rechargeable alkaline batteries are not acceptable.

In addition to being able to take rechargeable batteries to the offices of Hall County Resource Recovery Division (1008 Chestnut St., Gainesville) and Keep Hall Beautiful (604 Green Street Suite 1, Gainesville, GA 30501), RBRC has partnered with the following environmentally concerned local retailers offering collection of rechargeable batteries:

  • Cingular Wireless (map)
    325 Jesse Jewell Pkwy SE
    Gainesville, GA 30501-3713
      
  • Home Depot - Department 25 (map)
    924 Dawsonville Hwy
    Gainesville, GA 30501-2619
      
  • RadioShack (map)
    150 Pearl Nix Pkwy
    Gainesville, GA 30501-3517
      
  • Sears (map)
    150 Pearl Nix Pkwy
    Gainesville, GA 30501-3563
      
  • Sears Repair Services (map)
    150 Pearl Nix Pkwy
    Gainesville, GA 30501-3563
      
  • Target (map)
    514 Shallowford Road NW
    Gainesville, GA 30504-4154

Grease

To help Hall County residents properly manage used cooking oils, a collection container is available at the Hall County Recycling Center at 1008 Chestnut Street, Gainesville (map). Only clean cooking oils/grease from private residences will be accepted. Collection hours will be during regular business hours Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The grease that comes from the cooking process such as a deep fryer (or turkey fryer) can be recycled into a viable product such as animal feeds.


Newspaper

Newspaper only. Must be dry. Remove from plastic bags. Comics section, Parade
section and inserts are OK. The rule is if it comes with your newspaper, recycle it with your newspaper.


Aluminum Cans

Aluminum and bi-metal beverage cans, clean aluminum foil, aluminum pie plates and trays. Acceptable examples: beer and soda cans, TV dinner trays.


Plastics

PETE #1 - Discard caps, rinse container. Please flatten containers by stepping on them.
Acceptable examples: green and clear 1 & 2 liter soda bottles (must have a screw on top or it's not acceptable).

Hint = PETE plastic is always clear (see-thru) whether colored or not and will have this
symbol on the bottom:
HDPE #2 - Discard caps, rinse container.

HDPE comes in two forms, which must be separated - Natural and Colored. Please flatten containers by stepping on them.

Natural (cloudy white) - Acceptable examples: milk & 1/2 gal. orange juice jugs.

Colored - Acceptable examples: bleach and laundry detergent bottles.
(No motor oil containers, yogurt or margarine type containers.)
Hint = HDPE plastic is either cloudy or opaque (non see-thru).


Corrugated Cardboard

Acceptable examples include shipping boxes, moving boxes, and appliance boxes. Boxes must be broken down or flattened. Corrugated cardboard has three layers - a smooth inner and outer layer, plus a wavy middle layer. Brown paper grocery bags are also acceptable. No waxed cardboard. No single layer boxes such as shoe, cereal, cracker boxes, etc.


Tin Cans

Metal food and drink cans - empty and rinsed.


Bound Books and Magazines

Magazines Periodicals and catalogs printed on glossy paper, having stapled or glued bindings.

Library books, school books, paper back books and telephone books. These should be placed in bin with magazines.


Office Papers

(Office Mix) - White office paper, colored office paper, computer paper (green and blue bar), fax paper, and non windowed envelopes. Only collected at Recycling Center (map).


Mixed Paper

Boxboard (cereal boxes, crackers boxes and shoe boxes), junk mail. No laminated paper, corrugated cardboard, or carbon paper. Only collected at Recycling Center (map).


Antifreeze

Reducing

To minimize the amount of antifreeze that must be managed or the hazards associated with its use:
  • Buy and use only the quantity needed
    Capture the antifreeze when the coolant or hoses are changed, and reuse or recycle it

  • Watch for and repair any leaks

  • Store antifreeze in tightly closed containers to prevent it from being spilled or contaminated by other materials

  • Use antifreeze that is designed to last for four years or 50,000 to 60,000 miles (most antifreezes need to be replaced every two years).
Recycling/Reuse Options

Antifreeze can be recycled; however, there are
no sites in Hall County for recycling of antifreeze. Used antifreeze still protects against freezing and boilovers; however, the corrosion inhibitors may be depleted during use and should be replaced in the recycling process. To close the recycling loop, purchase recycled antifreeze, when possible.

Disposal

If the antifreeze cannot be reused, given away, or recycled, then read and follow the product's label for the manufacturer's instructions on proper disposal. If recycling is not feasible, then antifreeze may be disposed of in one of two ways.

If the local wastewater treatment plant permits it, antifreeze may be poured down an inside drain, flushing with plenty of water. Contact the local wastewater treatment plant for information. In addition, under state law, solidified antifreeze can be legally disposed of in a permitted, Subtitle D landfill. Hall County has such a landfill. To solidify the antifreeze, mix the antifreeze with enough absorbent material, such as cat-box filler, to absorb all free liquids.

Place the solidified antifreeze in a bag or wrap in newspaper before disposing in a landfill. The empty container should be recycled, if possible. If it cannot be recycled, the empty container can be disposed of in a landfill.

Antifreeze should not be poured down septic tanks, outside drains, in the storm sewer, or on the ground. This may cause groundwater contamination and/or operational problems with the septic system or wastewater treatment plant. Antifreeze can also harm pets if ingested.

Batteries

Source Reduction

There are no less toxic alternatives to lead-acid automobile batteries at this time.

Recycling/Reuse Options

In Georgia, automobile batteries must be returned to retailers for recycling. Battery retailers are required by law to accept old lead-acid batteries. They may also be taken to the County's Candler Road Landfill for recycling.

Disposal

Automobile batteries, under state law, may not be legally disposed of in landfills. They must be recycled.

Gasoline

Reducing

Before storing a gas-powered vehicle for extended periods of time, add stabilizers to the gasoline. This will decrease the need to drain and replace the gasoline in the engine before restarting.

Recycling/Reuse Options

If the gasoline is stale or has a small amount of water in it, consider purchasing a gas rejuvenator product which can be added to the gasoline. Small amounts of the gasoline can then be used in an automobile with caution.

Disposal

If the gasoline cannot be reused or given away (try mechanics and repair shops) or if the gas has a large amount of water in it, then let the gasoline evaporate in a well ventilated area away from pets, children and heat sources. For large quantities of gasoline, contact the Pollution Prevention Assistance Division at (404) 651-5120 for more information. Gasoline should not be poured down drains (inside or outside), into a storm sewer, or on the ground. This may cause sewer explosions and/or can contaminate groundwater. Gasoline should not be used for cleaning. Keep gasoline away from an open flame and other heat sources. Store flammable liquids in a tightly closed, non-glass, clearly labeled container. Store out of reach of children. Gasoline may produce invisible explosive vapors that may ignite by a small spark. Do not store flammable materials inside the home.


Used Motor Oil

Motor oil, hydraulic oil, and transmission oil only from personal vehicles and lawn and garden equipment. Limit of 5 gallons per person per visit. Note: Oil will not be accepted in bleach containers. Used oil containers are not recyclable. Please reuse your oil container for the next time you change your oil.

Reducing

There are no known less toxic alternatives. Synthetic oils are available that do not have to be changed as often as ordinary oils. To minimize the amount of motor oil that must be managed or the hazards associated with its use, keep the vehicle properly maintained; watch for and repair any oil leaks; buy only as much oil as needed; avoid spills while pouring or draining; and store any unused motor oil in tightly closed containers to prevent it from being spilled or contaminated with other materials.

Recycling/Reuse Options

Used motor oil can be recycled or re-refined, a process where it is made into clean lubricant oil or motor oil. To recycle motor oil, place it in a clean, leak-proof container and recycle at any Hall County compactor site or at the Hall County Recycling Center. In addition, Exxon Corporation maintains a list of Exxon service stations which will accept used oil. For the nearest station, contact 1-800-732-1100. To close the recycling loop, purchase recycled/re-refined motor oil.

Disposal

Recycle used motor oil.

Motor Oil should not be poured down drains (inside or outside), into a storm sewer, or on the ground. This may cause groundwater contamination and/or operational problems with the septic system or wastewater treatment plant.


Transmission Fluid

Reducing

There are no known less toxic alternatives. There are ways, however, to minimize the use of and the hazards associated with transmission fluid. These include: keeping the vehicle properly maintained; watching for and repairing any leaks; avoiding spills while pouring or draining; buying only as much transmission fluid as needed; storing any unused transmission fluid in tightly capped containers so as to prevent it from being spilled or contaminated with other materials; and purchasing, if possible,recycled transmission fluid.

Recycling/Reuse Options

Transmission fluid is recyclable. To recycle transmission fluid, place it in a clean, leak-proof container and recycle at any Hall County compactor site or at the Hall County Recycling Center. It is recycled with used oil.

Disposal

Recycle transmission fluid if possible.

Transmission fluid should not be poured down drains (inside or outside), in the storm sewer, or on the ground. This may cause groundwater contamination and/or operational problems with the septic system or wastewater treatment plant.

Paint

Reducing

To minimize the quantity of paint that must be managed, buy only as much paint as needed and store paint cans with tightly secured lids upside down to prevent the paint from drying out.

Recycling/Reuse Options

If the paint cannot be used, then contact a local high school drama department, charity, or church to see if they accept paint. However, some restrictions apply, e.g., certain sites may only accept full cans of paint. Latex paint can be recycled or reblended.

Disposal

If the paint cannot be used up, given away, or recycled, then read and follow the product's label for the manufacturer's instructions on proper disposal.
  • Empty Paint Cans

    Contact Hall County Resource Recovery at 770-535-2824 for current information on recycling of empty paint cans. If it cannot be recycled, then the empty container can be disposed of in a landfill.

  • Full Cans Of Paint

    Under state law, solidified paint can be legally disposed of in a permitted, Subtitle D landfill. To solidify full cans of paint, pour half the paint into a paper bag or box and mix with an absorbent material (i.e., cat-boxfiller, shredded newspaper, or sawdust) to absorb all free liquids and allow the mixture to harden. Place the box or bag with solidified paint in the landfill. Mix absorbent material with the remaining paint left in the can to absorb all free liquids and allow the mixture to harden. Then discard the can in the landfill.

  • Partially Full Cans Of Paint

    To solidify cans that are less than half full, pour enough absorbent material into the can to absorb all free liquids. The can of solidified paint may then be disposed of in the landfill. Under state law, solidified paint can be legally disposed of in a permitted, Subtitle D landfill. Small quantities of latex paint (i.e., paint in paint brushes) can be poured slowly down an inside drain with a large amount of additional water. However, paint should not be poured down an inside drain if connected to a septic system.
Paint should not be poured down outside drains, into a storm sewer, or on the ground. This may cause groundwater contamination and/or problems with the septic system or wastewater treatment plant.

Dry and harden paint and paint cans in a well ventilated area, away from children and pets.