Here’s How Kentucky Law Defines Hazardous Waste and How to Dispose of It

I always look forward to those hazardous waste disposal days that pop up from time to time. I'm never comfortable with throwing things like household cleaners or solvents in a trash bag, and that's the correct line of thinking. I once took advantage of a police officer's presence (he was issuing me a traffic warning) and asked him to take a jug of anti-freeze with him when he left. There was a little left at the bottom.

Hazardous Waste Disposal

In addition to what I've already mentioned, household hazardous materials include anything from acids, brake fluid, and batteries to medications, fertilizer, and helium tanks, and everything in between. You'll find the comprehensive list at lexingtonky.gov. Nothing surprising.

That list is good for any city and a good one to have around when hazardous waste disposal events are announced.

If it's flammable, toxic, corrosive, or reactive, it's considered hazardous, and you can't just take it to the landfill and get rid of it.

What About Electronics Disposal?

According to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, there is no current regulation or ban on disposing of home electronics in landfills. However, the landfills themselves make their own rules, and if they say you can't do it, you can't do it. Also, the EEC strongly suggests recycling when it comes to electronics to be on the safe side, if nothing else.

Waste Disposal Laws

Now that you have resources that help you identify exactly what constitutes hazardous waste in Kentucky, you should keep KRS 224.46 handy. Its various sections cover nearly everything anyone would need to know about hazardous waste in the Commonwealth.

As for the disposal of it all, though, it's KRS 224.40-100 that details what you can and cannot do. It's your best guide, but if you have the room, maybe you just hang on to what you've got until the next "Tox Away Day" is announced.