Natural Resources Advisory Committee	TCOG Sherman, Texas 903/813-3550 Site Map
Questions and Answers
Go to.... NRAC Committee Members NRAC Administration Next NRAC Meeting Latest NRAC Actions Prior Agendas and Minutes Join NRAC TCOG Staff Listings ---------------------------------------- Hot News Hot News Archives Regional NRAC Newsletter Pending TNRCC Rules ---------------------------------------- Air Issues Solid Waste Issues Water Issues ---------------------------------------- Illegal Dumping Home Report Illegal Dumping Illegal Dumping Pictures Local Enforcement Process --------------------------------------- Longer Documents TCOG Library Holdings Outside Resources --------------------------------------- Frequently Asked Questions Ask a New Question Buy Books Get Acrobat Reader Enhance Your Site --------------------------------------- Search This Site Site Map ----------------------------------------

Have a question about solid waste, local environmental law enforcement or another environmental issue?  Wonder who to contact locally about a problem or what the State regulations are on an environmental issue?  Ask us a question, we'll do our best to figure out the right answer and e-mail you a private reply.  The best questions (no prizes awarded!) will be posted out here (without your name attached) for others to review.  Take a look below at the questions others have asked before you.  You may find what you are looking for already here!

Ask us a question

Index of Earlier Questions
1   When is the next household hazardous waste collection event? 2   What can I do with waste motor oil? 3   Is there an overall plan for handling solid waste in our region? 4   What can I do with waste paint?
Details
1	When is the next household hazardous waste collection event? A regional HHW event is not scheduled for fiscal year 2010 (September 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010). If funding is available, an event may be scheduled for fiscal year 2011.
2	What can I do with waste motor oil? Recycle it. If you live in the Pottsboro or Gordonville areas or in Fannin County, you can use the collection centers that Commissioner’s have installed for your free use at the county yards in these communities (open weekdays).  Otherwise, your best bet is to call your local auto supply store or Wal-Mart store.  Often the businesses that sell you new motor oil will take your waste oil for recycling as a customer service.  What you don't want to do with waste oil is improperly dispose of it.  Not only does improper disposal risk water pollution, but it is also a felony in Texas ($1,000 to $50,000 fine and up to 5 years in prison).  The State Legislature is trying to get our attention on the subject of protecting our scarce water resources with these penalties!  All the "good uses" for waste oil we followed in the past are now crimes in Texas [Texas Water Code 7.176].  Criminal disposal includes dumping on the ground, using for weed or dust control, putting it in the trash (and thereby the land fill) or doing anything else that introduces the waste oil into the environment. Note that the oil the commissioners use to handle dust control in Summer on rock roads is new oil, which is regulated differently in Texas than waste oil.  If you are a do-it-yourself oil changer, you need to properly recycle the waste you generate. [posted 9/30/99]
3	Is there an overall plan for handling solid waste in our region? Yes, the plan has gone through a major update.  TCOG submitted the draft plan in August of 2006 and has been approved at TCEQ and by Legislative in the 80th Legislative Session. The Regional Solid Waste Management Plan is available at TCOG, online, or at the public library.
4	What can I do with waste paint? This is probably the most frequently asked question we receive at TCOG.  Waste paints constitute the most commonly received item at household hazardous waste collection events, yet not all paints are hazardous.  The best thing to do with paint is to buy only the amount you need and use it completely up on the job.  The second best action is to give surplus paints to a neighbor who has a project, to your church, a frat house, or to a community action agency that does house repairs for the elderly and shut-ins.  When you do have waste paint to dispose of, however, we recommend the following:  If you have a completely empty paint can, it can be disposed of in your household trash.  Likewise, LATEX paint dry "plugs" of pigment can be put in your household trash.  Remember though, that you can't put liquids into your trash, so the LATEX cans need to be empty and dry.  If you have small amounts of LATEX paint, you can pour it into kitty litter or shredded paper and allow it  to air-dry.  Then the kitty litter or newspaper (along with the dry paint) can be thrown into the trash.  Remember: these disposal solutions work for LATEX paints only.  Cans of oil based paints will never evaporate or dry and cannot legally be thrown into your trash.  Moreover, oil based paints and solvents often meet the technical definitions for hazardous waste and dumping them in an unauthorized location can be a particularly serious crime under State law. Oil based paints should be saved (if nobody else in your community wants them) and brought to an annual household hazardous waste collection event for proper, free disposal.  Why not ask your county commissioner or mayor about setting-up a "paint swapping" recycling center in your community?  After all, your "waste" paint is probably exactly what one of your neighbors is needing to finish that project of his or what some civic group is looking for.