By Brandon Hearn

Whether you are moving out of your home, moving into a new home, or just need to tidy up, spring is a great time to clean up your garage or shed.

As you are doing your spring cleaning, please remember to consider our environment when deciding what to do with that old paint, broken electronics or even that old love seat.

Here are a few options for you to be green as you spring clean:

Household chemicals and paint

Since 1993 Johnson County Government has operated a Household Hazardous Waste recycling facility, allowing Johnson County residents and qualifying small businesses the ability to recycle their used or unwanted chemicals, paints and much more.

Located at 11231 Mastin St., Overland Park, we accept everything from paint, stain and batteries to household cleaners, used gasoline and a wide range of other household chemicals. These items are given a second life that keeps them out of the environment.

The Johnson County facility is open year-round on Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays by appointment only. An appointment can be made online at jocogov.org/hhw or by calling 913-715-6907.

Usable items are available to the public through the HHW’s Free Store. Latex paint can be purchased through the Paint Recycling Program. For disabled or homebound residents, we offer a mobile collection service. For additional information, call 913-715-6907.

The City of Olathe has a drop-off location that any Johnson County resident can use. You can schedule a drop-off through the city website at olatheks.gov.

Light bulb recycling options

Nowadays there are so many different types of light bulbs that it can be confusing to know what to do with them once they stop working. Some types of light bulbs can be recycled (not in a recycling bin) while others can go in your trash.

• CFL bulbs (spiral, halo, etc.) and fluorescent light tubes, which contain mercury, can be recycled at both the Johnson County and Olathe Household Hazardous Waste facilities. Lowe’s, Home Depot and other participating hardware stores will accept the spiral CFL light bulbs. Other options can be found at recyclespot.org.
• LED bulbs and traditional incandescent bulbs, which do not contain mercury, can either be disposed of in your regular trash or taken to MRC Recycling (mrcrecycling.net) to be recycled.

Empty and completely solidified latex paint cans can go into your regular trash as well.

Recycling electronics

Electronic waste can be recycled but not in the curbside bin. Electronic waste includes anything that has a cord or is powered by batteries. Recycling locations include the City of Olathe Household Hazardous Waste facility (for Olathe residents ONLY). Other options can be found on the Johnson County Government website (jocogov.org) by searching “electronics recycling.”

Throughout the spring and summer, local collection events typically occur, including several opportunities by the City of Overland Park.

If you have any questions about recycling, HHW or anything else environmental, please contact me at brandon.hearn@jocogov.org or 913-715-6936.

Brandon Hearn is environmental health specialist at the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.