FAQ

Items Accepted (Collection of materials is single-stream, no separation necessary.) 


  • Glass Bottles and Jars
  • Paper
  • Aluminum Cans
  • Cardboard / Paperboard
  • Steel Cans
  • Plastic Bottles, Jugs & Tubs

 

Printer Friendly Acceptable Items (Click here)


 


NO MEDICAL SHARPS OR SYRINGES

*This includes items such as shampoo bottles, laundry detergent bottles, milk jugs, water bottles, and soft drink bottles. NO wide mouth jars, NO margarine tubs, and NO other plastic containers. Do not bag items - plastic bags of any kind are unacceptable. 

Look For Alternatives


We strongly encourage the reuse of paint by donating it to those that can use it. This keeps paint out of our landfills and is the most earth friendly disposal option. Other alternatives include the following:

  • Buy only what you need. Determine the square footage of the area you are painting before you purchase paint.
  • Properly store paint and use it for touch-ups.
  • Give useable paint to community groups, theater groups and others that can use it.
  • Check with your local Habitat ReStore to see if they accept usable paint for remixing and resale.**
  • Fully dry paint in the can. Once solidified, place the can in the garbage with the lid removed.
  • As a last resort you can take it to a Solid Waste District paint collection event.**  (Check back for event schedule)

**There may be a fee for this service.

Paint must be solidified prior to being placed in the trash. Once paint is completely dry, the can should be placed in the trash with the lid removed.

When drying paint be sure to work in a well ventilated area away from children and pets. Adding kitty litter or other absorbent material to the can will speed up drying in any of the following scenarios.


For Small Quantities (less than one gallon)


  • If the amount of paint is less than one-fourth of the container, the paint should dry in the can with the lid removed in a relatively short amount of time. Stirring the paint every few days will speed up drying.
  • If the amount of paint is more than one-fourth of the container, brush the left-over paint on cardboard or newspaper to use it. Allow the empty can to dry with the lid removed.

For Large Quantities (more than one gallon)


  • Pour one-half inch layers of paint into a cardboard box lined with plastic. Allow the paint to dry before the next layer of paint is added.

Commercial Recyclers


We try to keep this information updated. However, it is always a good idea to first call the establishment in which you would like to take your items, as their policy often changes.

 

  • CHS TV & Audio: 72 N Walnut Street, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601. Call 740-773-1590 for more information & availability. 
  • Best Buy – Click here for details.
  • Goodwill Industries (participating locations)

 

Special Collection Events 


The RPHF Solid Waste District hosts annual electronics collection events. 

 

  • Check the "events" tab for upcoming collection events.

 

 

Leave These Out of Your Recycling Bin


It's important to recycle correctly. Some items don't belong in the recycling bins. Unacceptable items include but are not limited to:

  • Plastic bags (exception: shredded paper should be placed in a clear plastic bag)
  • "Clam shell" containers (example: take out containers or berry containers
  • Yogurt cups
  • Disposable utensils, plates, bowls, napkins and cups
  • Styrofoam 
  • Ceramic items
  • Light bulbs
  • Propane tanks
  • String lights
  • Aluminum Foil or disposable aluminum baking ware
  • Wide mouth plastic containers
  • Electronics
  • Tires
  • Clothing & household goods
  • Construction materials
  • Ropes & hoses
  • Hard plastics (example: coat hangers or kids toys)

 

Household Hazardous Waste Disposal


Contact the RPHF Solid Waste District Main Office to receive a disposal voucher. 

Environmental Enterprises located in Columbus is a household hazardous waste disposal center open to the public. This is a safe option to properly dispose of household hazardous waste. Call ahead to ensure available times, locations, and costs for drop off!

TIP: Latex and water-based paints are water soluble and are not considered hazardous. Paint hardeners, cat litter or sawdust may be added to left over latex paint in order to solidify the unused product. The lid may also be left off to speed up the drying process. Once dried it may be disposed of with your regular trash.

DISCLAIMER: The RPHF Solid Waste District is not affiliated with Environmental Enterprises. Please contact EEI, Inc. to inquire about associated disposal costs of hazardous materials and policies in place at the facility.

  • Click here for a list of HHW acceptable (and unacceptable) items.
  • Click here for information on proper disposal of smoke detectors.


Materials may be taken to: 
Environmental Enterprises (EEI)
645 East 8th Avenue
Columbus, OH 
Phone: 614 294-1300

 

Other Household Hazardous Waste Resources


The best way to dispose of any household hazardous product is with a company designated to handle hazardous waste products. As always, try to use all of your products if possible. Other household hazardous waste companies that you may contact who accept household products are:

 

 

Environmental Enterprises, Inc.

4650 Spring Grove Avenue
Cincinnati, OH
(800) 850-3587

Clean Harbors

4879 Spring Grove Avenue
Cincinnati, OH
(800) 805-4582

 

 

Less Toxic Alternative Cleaning Products

Courtesy of Dover NH Community Services


For This: Try This:
Air Freshener Simmer cinnamon and cloves; leave opened box of baking soda in room; or set out a dish of vinegar
Aluminum Spot Remover 2 tablespoons cream of tartar + 1 quart hot water
Ants Red chili powder or cream of tartar at point of entry
Bleach Borax
Brass Polish Worcestershire sauce
Car Battery Corrosion Baking soda + water
Chrome Polish Apple cider vinegar; then polish with baby oil
Cleaners (General Household) Mix 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/3 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda in one gallon of warm water
Coffee Cup Stain Remover Moist salt
Coffee Pot Stain Vinegar
Copper Cleaner Lemon juice + salt
Decal Remover Soak in white vinegar
Dish Detergent (Grease Cutter) 1/2 cup baking soda + usual amount of liquid detergent
Drain Cleaner Plunger followed by 1/2 cup baking soda + 1/2 cup of vinegar + 2 quarts boiling water
Fertilizer Compost and vermicompost
Fiberglass Stain Remover Baking soda paste
Flea and Tick Repellent Scatter pine needles, fennel, rye or rosemary on pet's bed
Fleas (On Pets) Feed pet brewer's yeast, vitamin B or garlic tablets
Flies (Insects) Well watered pot of basil
Floor Cleaner 1 cup vinegar + 2 gallons water
Furniture Polish 2 parts vegetable oil and 1 part lemon juice - Apply, rub in, wipe clean
Garbage Disposal Deodorizers Use citrus rind or ice cubes
Grease Fire Douse with baking soda
Grease Removal Borax on damp cloth
Hand Cleaner for Paint/Grease Baby oil
Ink Spot Remover Cold water + 1 tablespoon cream of tartar + 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Insects on Plants Soapy water on leaves, then rinse
Laundry Detergent Basic soap
Laundry Pre-Soak Make paste of washing soda and water; apply to spots
Linoleum Floor Cleaner 1 cup white vinegar + 2 gallons water
Mildew Remover Equal parts of vinegar and salt
Mosquito Repellent Burn citronella candles
Moth Repellent Cedar chips or dried lavendar enclosed in cotton sachets
Multi-Purpose Cleaner Mix 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/3 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 gallon of warm water
Nematode (Parasitic Worm) Repellent Plant marigolds
Oil Stain Remover White chalk rubbed into stain before laundering
Oven Cleaner 2 tablespoons liquid soap + 2 teaspoons borax + warm water
Paint (oil-based/stain/spray) Water-based, non-aerosol paints
Paint Brush Softener Hot vinegar
Perspiration Spot Remover Baking soda
Pet Oder Remover Cider vinegar
Porcelain Cleaner Make paste from baking soda and water; let set, rub clean and rinse
Refrigerator Deodorizer Open box baking soda
Roach Repellent Chopped bay leaves and cucumber skins
Rug/Carpet Cleaner Club soda
Rust Removal (Clothing) Lemon juice + salt + sunlight
Rusty Bolt/Nut Removal Carbonated beverage
Scorch Mark Removal Grated onion
Scouring Powder Baking Soda
Shaving Cream Brush and shaving soap
Silver Polish 1 quart warm water + 1 tablespoon baking soda + piece of aluminum foil + 1 tablespoon salt
Slug and Snail Repellent Onion and marigold plants
Spot Remover Club soda, lemon juice, or salt
Stainless Steel Polish Mineral oil
Toilet Bowl Cleaner Paste of borax + lemon juice
Tub and Tile Cleaner 1/4 cup baking soda + 1/2 cup white vinegar + warm water
Upholstery Spot Removal Club soda
Water Mark Removal Toothpaste
Water Softener 1/4 cup vinegar
Wine Stain Removal Salt
Window Cleaner Use 1/2 cup of vinegar in 1 gallon of warm water
Wood Polish 3 parts olive oil + 1 part white vinegar; almond or olive oil (interior unvarnished wood only)