Household Care

Many typical household items and household “project” items such as fertilizers, pesticides, paints, solvents, cleaners, cement, salt, and other chemicals pose a serious threat to stormwater runoff and the water quality of our local rivers.  Reduce the amount of these products that you use and buy only environmentally safe products. Properly label and store these materials under cover, away from rainfall, snow, runoff, and wind and away from gutters and drains.   Dispose of these materials as indicated on the labels or at the hazardous waste collection facility at the Pitkin County Resource Recovery Center (landfill).
paint
  • Trash:  Pick up litter in and around your yard.  Recycle as much as possible. Dispose of trash and recyclables in containers with lids.
  • Paints:  Keep all liquids, paint products, and wastes away from the street, gutter, storm drains and area drains in your yard.  Do not purchase oil-based paints – they are extremely toxic and difficult to dispose of.  Use water-based paints instead, and use up all the paint before disposing of the can.  Rinse water-based paint brushes in the sink.  Save and reuse paint thinner and brush cleaners whenever possible.  Dispose of unused oil-based paints, thinners, and solvent at the hazardous waste collection facility at the Pitkin County Resource Recovery Center (landfill).  Water-based paint cans can be put in the garbage once they are empty and dry.
  • Concrete:  Concrete and mortar application materials are hazardous to the river and can wash down or be blown into the street, gutter, or storm drain.  Do not mix up more concrete than you will use. Never dispose of concrete washout or dust onto driveways, streets, gutters, swales, or drains.
  • Salt:  During winter months, use as little salt and other de-icing materials as possible on your driveway and sidewalks.
  • Patios and sidewalks:  Sweep patios and sidewalks rather than wash debris into the street or down the driveway.  Bag the debris and dispose of it with the trash.