Managing Hazardous Materials
The City's contractor, Duncan Disposal, offers weekly residential curbside pickup of recycling materials. For information about schedules, setting up service and what is recyclable, read below.
Households generate a lot of garbage each year, but not every discard is a candidate for the local landfill.
Many home and garden products fall into the category of toxic or hazardous substances. Products such as paint, motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline, bug spray, and fertilizer should be handled with care. Without proper disposal, the unused contents could contaminate the environment and even endanger the user's health.
Consumers need to remember that some products kept in the home or garage can be flammable, poisonous, explosive, or carcinogenic. These items should never be thrown in the trash, washed down the drain, or poured on the ground.
Local Disposal Options
Fort Worth Environmental Collection Center
Under a contract with the City of Fort Worth, Southlake residents have the option of delivering household hazardous waste products (at no charge to residents) to the program's main collection center in Fort Worth. The City pays a fee per drop-off regardless of the volume of items being delivered. As a result, city officials urge residents to limit their trips to the drop-off center, or to combine their household hazardous waste products with those of their neighbors to make a single visit.
- Address: 6400 Bridge Street, Fort Worth, TX
- Phone: 817/392-3279
Call for days and hours of operation. During the recorded message you will hear the operator tell you to check with your city to see if you need a voucher. Southlake residents do not need a voucher, but do need to take a current copy of their water bill along to prove their residence in Southlake. This ensures that the Collection Center will charge the city, not you, for your participation.
What is accepted:
Acids, aerosol cans, antifreeze, batteries (all kinds, including car batteries), brake fluid, cooking oil, craft chemicals, degreasers, drain cleaner, fertilizer, fluorescent light bulbs, herbicides, household chemicals, motor oil, paints & stains, paint thinners, pest strips, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, photo chemicals, pool chemicals, oil filters, solvents, transmission fluid and varnish.
What is not accepted:
Ammunition, asbestos, building materials, butane cylinders, computer components, electronics, explosives, medical waste, PCBs, propane cylinders, radioactive material, smoke detectors, TVs and tires (for tire disposal please contact Duncan Disposal at 817/371-2424 or your local Discount Tire store; they will properly dispose of these for a nominal fee).
Need More Info?
If you have questions about a specific waste not listed above, call 817/392-3279 to find out if it is accepted. For assistance, questions, or more information on proper handling and disposal of household hazardous wastes, contact Southlake Fire Services Division at 817/748-8106.
Crud Cruiser Drop-Off Events
The City of Southlake conducts two Household Hazardous Waste drop-off days each year (at these events, we will be unable to accept explosives, radioactive, biological, or commercial wastes). To see when the Crud Cruiser will be in Southlake, please see the City of Fort Worth's schedule by clicking here.
Hazardous Waste FAQs:
- How can I identify hazardous chemicals in my home?
Old paint, pesticides, used oil and other automotive fluids, household cleaners, solvents, batteries, and pesticides are all examples of household chemicals that could be hazardous to the environment if disposed of improperly. These wastes usually have one or more of the following characteristics, so look for these words in the label or directions or use:- Corrosive (means it gradually dissolves other materials)
- Ignitable (means flammable)
- Reactive (if it comes in contact with another substance, can cause an explosion or deadly vapors)
- Toxic (means poisonous to humans and animals)
- I don't have Hazardous Waste in my home! Or do I?
Yes you do and so do all your neighbors. We can change that if you bring us your household hazardous waste so we may dispose of it in an environmentally friendly manner. Household hazardous waste includes the leftovers of many items we use daily for convenience. These products include paints, solvents, cleaning supplies, automotive products, and pesticides. If you are unsure if the product is hazardous, look on the label. If you see any of the words in the table below, the answer is yes, the product is hazardous.
|
Danger |
Poison | Warning | Toxic |
| Flammable | Corrosive | Reactive | Caution |
If you have any products labeled with any of these words in your home no longer in use, they should be considered household hazardous waste products and should be handled and disposed of according to the guidelines described following the next question.
- How can I avoid Household Hazardous Waste?
There are several steps you can take to avoid accumulating household hazardous waste products:- Be a smart consumer. Buying in large quantities may not save money if you must store and eventually dispose of these items. Try to buy only the quantity you will need.
- Purchase one product that will accomplish many tasks. You will be more likely to use the entire product because of its usefulness.
- Recycle! Recycle! Recycle! Maybe your neighbor needs to spray their yard with pesticide. Maybe your neighbor has some pesticide left over. Get out there and meet you neighbor!
- Use environmentally friendly alternatives. Water-based products are generally safer than petroleum based products. Use pump sprays rather than aerosol sprays.