At almost every home closing in Minnesota, there is a short time where closing representatives leave the room to make copies and print checks. During this time keys and garage door openers are passed to the new homeowners and the seller usually passes on quirky information about the house. Often one tidbit is "I left all the extra paint on the basement/garage shelf so you can touch up a few things." Though buyers can be appreciative if the home was just repainted, others will consider this toxic waste.
Last week, my husband and I ventured into our own little toxic wasteland of cans stored under the basement steps to get a quart of clear coat sealer for our oak trim. We bought it four years ago when we built an addition and had a few boards to finish. We opened it and used it once. Now we were finishing the edge of some new windows in another room and the lid was sealed completely and permanently shut to the can! Time to head to Menard's for a fresh can, but what do we do with the old one?
We decided it was time for a trip to the Anoka County Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW) in Blaine! It was surprising the amount of cans that had accumulated in the decade we have owned our Ham Lake home. Might as well clean it all out at one time.
The HHW is located at 3230 101st Ave NE in Blaine just west of the 35W and 95th Ave interchange and is open YEARROUND and is FREE to Anoka County Residents! CLICK HERE for Map and Directions.
Summer Hours (April through October)
Wednesday 2PM-8PM
Friday 9PM-3PM
Saturday 9PM-3PM
Winter Hours (November through March)
Wednesday 2PM-8PM
Saturday 9PM-3PM
The HHW accepts more than paint too. Drop off any household product that is labeled "Corrosive", "Flammable"," Poison", "Toxic" or "Warning". This includes old drain cleaner and mothballs from the hall closet and the insecticides and weed killer in the garage. Mercury thermometers, pool chemicals and used motor oil are also accepted. For a complete list of what is accepted at Anoka County the HHW Facility CLICK HERE.
We took our truck full of basement and garage household toxins into the facility last Friday morning around 11AM. It is a quick, efficient service. We had only one car ahead of us in line. You drive into the facility and the service professionals remove the unwanted items from your vehicle. It took less than 10 minutes, though from the lines and cones around the building, I would guess that on a busy Saturday, the wait can be longer.
What a great feeling to have all of those unwanted and unusable products out of the house!
If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/
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