Recycling: How to handle ‘hard to dispose of’ items like antifreeze, paint and more

We have received many inquiries lately on how to recycle/dispose of items such as antifreeze, propane tanks, batteries and paint. See our answers below for tips on how to handle these items.

Antifreeze

Over the years, the number of businesses that previously accepted used antifreeze has dwindled. In fact, it is very hard to find a local entity that will accept used antifreeze. Due to this circumstance, the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority has decided to add antifreeze to our “accepted” list at our Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event (HHW). Our annual event will help residents who have antifreeze to dispose of but have no other viable option. We did just secure dates for our next HHW Collection Event for next spring. Save the date: April 26-27, 2024.

Propane tanks

Small propane tanks, when empty, can be placed in your curbside recycling bin or brought to any of our recycling drop-off container locations and placed in the metal compartment. Large propane tanks, when empty, should be swapped for full tanks at participating retailers. Please do not put propane tanks in the trash.

Rechargeable and lead acid batteries

Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion) and Small Sealed Lead (Pb) batteries can be recycled. Drop-off locations include Staples and Best Buy as well as other locations around the county. You may also bring your old rechargeable batteries to the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority office for recycling. Lead Acid (automotive, motorcycle, etc.) batteries should be taken to any store that sells lead acid batteries.

Aerosol cans, latex paint and oil based paint

Empty aerosol spray cans can be recycled curbside or at any of our recycling drop-off locations in the metal compartment.

Latex paint, when dry, may be disposed of in your regular trash. If you are simply overwhelmed with latex paint, the Authority’s Transfer Station is allowed to accept up to 5 gallons of latex paint per person per day. There is a $25 minimum charge for this service. Please note that the Authority will not accept latex paint at our Household Hazardous Waste event.

Oil based paint, when dry, may be disposed of in your regular trash. The Recycling and Refuse Authority’s Transfer Station will not accept oil based paint in liquid form. If you are simply overwhelmed with oil based paint, you may bring it to our HHW event next April. In addition, ReStore in Bellefonte takes unopened cans of oil-based paint for reuse. Please call for details: 814-353-2390.

Tips to dry paint: Get a sturdy cardboard box and fill with clay-based kitty litter, pour the paint onto the kitty litter and let dry. Then dispose of this dried mixture with your trash. Some local hardware and paint stores carry a paint solidifier. Simply purchase, follow directions and when paint is dried, put out for trash collection.

For additional help, check out our new RecycleCoach app. Download it for free at the App Store! Find more information to come about the RecycleCoach app in next month’s column.