How to Get Rid of Hard-to-Recycle Items in Greater Lafayette

Let’s be honest, every day should be Earth Day. We only have one Earth, and we can’t be too careful. There are small and big ways that you can do your part, but disposing of unwanted products the right way is one the best (and it isn’t that hard in Tippecanoe County)!

It might take a little bit of extra effort on your part to dispose of things properly, but I promise that it’s worth it! Let’s keep the Lafayette area clean and beautiful.

Plastic Grocery Bags

Simply return them to your local grocery store. Most chain grocery stores (and department stores like Walmart) have receptacles for used plastic shopping bags. You can also re-use them for small trash cans—so much better than purchasing new plastic bags.

Appliances

Y’all, I don’t think Goodwill wants our TVs. But in Tippecanoe County, we have Green Wave Electronics (which recently acquired Oscar Winski’s electronics recycling division). Contact them at 765-421-6005 for pickup information.

What about those large appliances that have freon in them? These include refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, de-humidifiers, and more. Just contact Farrell’s Refrigeration (765-742-7231) or Trustworthy Appliance (765-742-6369) for help with recycling these large appliances properly.

Paint

According to the Tippecanoe County Solid Waste Management District, oil paint will say “flammable, combustible, clean up with mineral spirits.” If the paint is still wet, you can take it to the household hazardous materials drop-off at the Best Way Transfer Station. If it is totally dried out, you should put it out next to the regular trash, lid off, for disposal. Spray paints can also be brought to the transfer station, or—if totally empty—they can be put out with normal trash.

The transfer station is at 2770 North 9^th Street in Lafayette. Hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. The station is also open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Unfortunately, the TCSWMD does NOT take LATEX paint. If the label says latex, acrylic, soap and water cleanup, pour cheap clay cat litter or Oil Dri in the paint can at a 1:1 ratio. Stir. It will dry out in a day or two. Set it out for regular trash pick-up with the LID OFF so workers can see that it’s dry (and know that it’s OK to pick up).

If your paint cans are full, line a box with a trash bag and pour the litter or Oil Dri in first and half of the paint on top. Pour absorbent into the other half left in the can. Set containers with paint in them out for regular trash with the lid OFF so workers can see that it is dry.

Used Motor Oil

Used motor oil and oil filters can be recycled around town, too. Auto supply stores around Greater Lafayette such as AutoZone (and even Walmart’s auto department) accept used oil for recycling, but contact the store directly to double check. And don’t mix in antifreeze, water, or other contaminants in with the oil. Bring used motor oil to the Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off at the Transfer Station on 9^th Street (up to five gallons uncontaminated at a time can be dropped off for free).

Light Bulbs

Incandescent bulbs don’t contain toxic chemicals, so feel free to throw them away with your regular trash. CFL bulbs, however, do contain a small amount of mercury, and they can damage the environment if they go to landfills. Recycle CFL bulbs at any Lowe’s stores (usually near the front entrance). Other home improvement stores and recycling centers may also accept CFL bulbs.

Other Items

The Tippecanoe County Solid Waste Management District accepts an extensive list of hard-to-recycle items in Greater Lafayette, including:

Aerosol cans
Antifreeze
Batteries
Bleach
Cleaners
Fire extinguishers
Gasoline
Light bulbs
Medications
Pesticides

Go here for a complete list of everything accepted for proper disposal.

Curbside Recycling

Both Lafayette and West Lafayette offer curbside recycling services that will take care of many of your hard-to-recycle items in Greater Lafayette.

The Russell Company and Reliable Insurance Solutions Earth Day Event

The Russell Company hosts an annual Earth Day recycling event in the spring, so stay tuned. Have up to three boxes of old papers safely shredded for FREE by EcoShred! As in years past, we’ll also have battery and light bulb recycling and small electronics recycling (though some fees apply on those electronic items). The WLPD collects prescription drugs to dispose of, as well.

Well, what are you waiting on? Get cleaning!