Holidays, Chores, and Waste, Oh My!

Holidays, Chores, and Waste, Oh My!

Seasonal chores like draining oil from a lawnmower or refreshing the batteries in your smoke detector when we “fall back” to Eastern Standard Time generate waste. The holiday gift-giving season means making room for updated tech gadgets and even appliances, which also generates waste. Not to mention replacing holiday decorations with something shinier, brighter and more convenient than what was packed away.  Seasonal chores and the holidays often create the need for special disposal. These are important decisions that are not made regularly.

Fortunately for Prince William residents, there are convenient disposal options for electronics and other special waste.  Tech gadgets and electronics such as computers, laptops, monitors, VCRs, DVDs, cell phones, and other items of electronic equipment with a circuit board or electrical cord can be brought to the Landfill’s Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling Program.  This program is available on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Although electronics “age out” rapidly, if the item is still usable, try to donate it before settling on the Electronics Recycling Program for disposal.

Another option for appropriate disposal or recycling electronics and appliances can be found at local businesses like Potomac eCycle and Best Buy.  There may be a fee, but accessibility can make it a great alternative for some residents.

Residents can bring used motor oil, oil filters, plus antifreeze, lead-acid car batteries, and household batteries to the Prince William County Landfill or Prince William Compost Facility any day during normal operating hours.  Old household appliances, like refrigerators and stoves, can also be brought to these facilities for disposal. However, the Compost Facility only takes bulky items like appliances, mattresses, etc., Monday – Friday.   It is always a good idea to consider a reuse option for old appliances that are still in working order.  Various household and home improvement items can be donated to Habit Restore, or other reuse organizations. 

Residents should also consider donating holiday decorations that are still in good condition to one of the many reuse businesses in the area. Pro Tip:  Many Home Depot, Lowe's, MOM's Organic Market, and Ace Hardware locations accept Christmas lights for recycling. 

For disposal and recycling information for other items, visit www.pwcgov.org/disposalguide to learn how to dispose of more than 300 items appropriately during the holidays and every day.