Frequently Asked Questions - Solid Waste Program

Livingston County Guide to Re-Use, Re-duce, Re-Cycle and Safe Disposal

A printable guide to most common disposal and recycling guide.

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What is the Livingston County Guide to Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and Safe Disposal? Can I print a copy?,

This is a handy guide that you can view on our website, and print a page from, or print the entire guide on your home computer. The information is regularly updated so the best way to see the latest version is to view it on the website. More information is available on our DPW/Solid Waste page.

How do I get rid of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)?,

The schedule for our Household Hazardous Waste Collections is usually set by April 1st of each year. Traditionally, we host three collections - one each in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. You must have an appointment to participate in these free events. Information on the events and how to make a required appointment is available on the HHW webpage.

How do I get rid of paints?,

If the label says to clean with soap and water, the paint is LATEX. Trash haulers cannot take liquid latex paint to the landfills, but they can take cans that have been completely dried out. Call your trash hauler for requirements and restrictions. To dry out the paint, leave the lid off the can so it will be exposed to air. You can add kitty litter, sawdust, shredded paper or any absorbing material. Once it is completely dry, put it out for pick up, but leave the lids off the cans so the hauler can see it is DRY latex paint.

If the label says to use turpentine or thinner for clean up, the paint is oil-based. Oil-based paints and aerosol paints can be recycled through one of our

Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off events or a through an

HHW vendor.

How do I get rid of batteries?,

Many municipalities and libraries participate in the program to recycle household batteries, and have collection buckets at their sites. See also our Guide to Reuse, Reduce and Recycle and Safe Disposal. An entire page is dedicated to household battery drop off sites.

How do I get rid of sharps or injectables?,

The Livingston County Solid Waste Program assists residents with safe disposal of sharps. Call for information at 517- 545-9609, visit our webpage about sharps, or see our Guide to Reuse, Reduce and Recycle and Safe Disposal.

St. Joseph Mercy Pharmacy may also take your sharps. Please call first at 517-545-6666.

How do I get rid of motor oil?,

There are many businesses that will take a small quantity of motor oil from residents free of charge. For a listing of the current businesses, please see the Guide to Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and Safe Disposal.

Where is the local landfill or transfer station?,

For a listing of the current businesses that operate as transfer stations, please see our Guide to Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and Safe Disposal or view a quick reference list.

What are the local trash haulers in the area?,

A list of local trash haulers can be found in the Livingston County Guide to Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and Safe Disposal. Information is also available on the Trash Hauler webpage.

Where are your Household Hazardous Waste drop off locations?,

We typically hold HHW Drop-off Events at two locations during the year, Howell and Green Oak. Information on dates, how to make a required appointment, and what we accept can be found on our Household Hazardous Waste webpage.