Muskegon County Department of Public Works

Household Hazardous Waste Program

(231) 724-6001

White Lake Solid Waste Authority

City of Montague, City of Whitehall, and Townships of Montague, White Lake, White River, and Blue Lake

(231) 893-2405

Batteries

At the health department, we accept both non-rechargeable and rechargeable batteries, such as:

• AA, AAA, C, D, 9V and button batteries
• Battery packs from cameras, cell phones, laptop computers, power tools, etc.
• Batteries from handheld electronics like iPods, PDAs, pagers, etc.

Batteries can be dropped of at the health department's health education program. For more information about battery recycling, please call (231) 724-1249.

Car Batteries

Auto shops that sell car batteries are required by Michigan Law to accept your old battery in trade when you purchase a new battery. If you still have one, do not throw it away in your regular trash. Batteries contain large quantities of lead. Instead, try a local scrap metal dealer such as Shoreline Recycling or an auto parts shop.

Cell Phones

Many organizations are willing to accept old cell phones, which are given to their clients for emergency use.

Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs (Fact Sheet)

Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs contain a very, very small amount of mercury. Therefore, unbroken, burnt out CFL bulbs should be recycled rather than thrown in the trash. To learn more about CFL bulbs and mercury please visit the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) website by clicking here.

At the health department, we accept unbroken CFL bulbs. They can be dropped of at the health department's health education program. For more information, please call (231) 724-1249.

CFL bulbs can also be dropped off at Home Depot stores. Simply bring any expired, unbroken CFL bulbs to any Home Depot store and give them to the store associate behind the returns desk.

Computers

Computers contain hazardous chemicals such as lead and mercury. Recycling is often both an ecological and economical solution. Generally, large computer manufacturing companies have recycling and/or trade in programs. If you did not take advantage of one of these programs when you bought your new computer, nonprofit organizations such an churches, schools, and civic groups are often open to the donation.

Mercury Thermometers

At the health department, we accept unbroken mercury thermometers for disposal. Unbroken mercury thermometers can be dropped of at the health department's health education program. For more information about mercury thermometer disposal, please call (231) 724-1249.

To learn more about mercury, including instructions on how to handle a mercury spill, visit the Michigan Department of Community Health's website by clicking here.

Paint Recycling

If you are unable to completely use your house paint, you can try using the extra as a base coat or donate it to a local theatre or charity. Latex or water-based paints are generally not hazardous in the way that oil-based paints are. Partially full cans of latex paint can be solidified using kitty litter, newspaper, or some other absorbent.  Once solid, cans (without lids) can be disposed of with regular household garbage. Empty paint cans, with only a thin film of dried paint can be recycled with metals.