Household Hazardous Waste
Did you know that improper disposal of medicines, automotive fluids, paint thinners, and garden chemicals may harm people and the environment? The City of Racine has programs that allow the community to safely dispose of these items:
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Medicines
Sharps Disposal
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury
Mercury is a liquid metal that is commonly used in household items such as thermometers and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL). Though these bulbs contain only a very small amount of mercury, mercury is extremely toxic through direct contact and inhalation. Caution should be used when cleaning up the mercury and glass fragments that come from a broken CFL.
Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs and Mercury
The Environmental Health Division is a collection point for citizens who want to dispose of old mercury thermometers or other mercury containing items (switches, thermostats, or small amounts of liquid mercury). The Environmental Health Division sponsors a program to exchange mercury thermometers for digital ones.
For More Information
If you have questions or would like more information,
call 262-636-9203.
Mercury in Our Environment
Mercury Releases and Spills
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
The Racine Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program allows you to bring hazardous chemicals and substances such as automotive fluids, paint thinner, and herbicides to a permanent collection site for proper disposal. The collection site is open on the 3rd Saturday of each month from April to October, 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
For More Information
If you have questions or would like more information,
call 262-636-9203.
Wisconsin DNR Hazardous Waste Regulatory Program
Medicine Collection for Households
Collection Day Events
The City of Racine hosts a Medicine Collection Day twice annually for the collection of unwanted household medications. It is held on the third Saturday in April and October from 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. at 6200 21st Street, Racine (North of the former Sam's Club building).
What to bring:
• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medications
• Ointments and creams
• Sprays and Inhalers
• Pet medications
What Not to Bring:
• Illegal Drugs
• Biohazard Materials
• Needles/Sharps
• Personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreen)
How to Package Your Items:
• Keep all medication in original bottles.
• Cross out your name but leave the name of the medication
• Put medications in a sealed bag.
Medicine Collection Day BROCHURE
Medicine Collection Day POSTER
Drop Boxes
In coordination with Focus on Community, Racine County has multiple drop boxes for unwanted medications at the following locations:
City of Racine Police Department
730 Center Street, Racine
262-635-7751
Sturtevant Police Department
2801 89th Street, Sturtevant
262-886-7211
Lakeview Pharmacy
Does NOT accept controlled substances
516 Monument Square, Racine
262-632-0520
Mail Back Envelopes
Walgreens - Walgreens Pharmacies have a mail back program using envelopes for purchase for $3.99. This program does NOT accept controlled substances. Contact your local Walgreens for further information.
For More Information
If you have questions or would like more information,
call 262-636-9203.
Sharps Disposal
"Sharps" include hypodermic needles, syringes, lancets (finger stick devices), and other sharp medical instruments.
Why do needles/sharps need to be discarded in a special way?
Both Wisconsin Statutes and Racine Ordinances make it illegal to discard used needles, syringes, and lancets with household solid waste or recyclable materials. Unsafe disposal can result in substantial financial penalties for you, as well as serious disease through accidental needle sticks to workers handling these waste materials.
What is the legal method to dispose of used sharps?
"Sharps" should not be placed with your solid waste or recyclable materials. Special red colored "biohazard" containers should be used to hold used sharps. These containers are available at most pharmacies where medical supplies are sold.
Most independently owned pharmacies in the Racine area offer a sharps disposal program that allows you to return your filled container. Be sure to ask your pharmacist about this. Some chain pharmacies do not offer a disposal program; if yours doesn't, tell them that you would like a program started at their location. See the list of Sharps Disposal Sites.
For More Information
If you have questions or would like more information,
call 262-636-9203.
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