Lee County Solid Waste Division Announces Operation of Permanent Household Chemical Waste Facility

The City of Sanibel received notification from the Lee County Solid Waste Division that they have opened a permanent Household Chemical Waste Facility located at 6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers. (See driving instructions from Sanibel below). The permanent facility is open to all Lee County residents from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed on Lee County Government observed holidays).

As Lee County taxpayers, Sanibel residents are urged to utilize this facility to dispose of household chemicals in addition to disposal at the City’s annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day. Residents are particularly reminded, as we approach hurricane season, to clean out old, unused or expired household chemicals that could contaminate local waters in the event of a storm surge. Residents may also dispose of any unused fertilizer not in compliance with the City of Sanibel’s recently adopted and amended Fertilizer Ordinance at the permanent Household Chemical Waste Facility.

Household Chemical waste includes the following materials:

Ammunition
Antifreeze, Gasoline and Motor Oil
Auto/Boat/Motorcycle/Household/Rechargeable batteries
Cell Phones
Fertilizer
Fluorescent Bulbs and Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Medication and Used Syringes/Sharps
Empty Paint Cans and Partially Emptied Paint Cans
Propane Tanks

To package and transport chemicals safely, please take the following precautions:

DO NOT mix chemicals together.
Keep products in original containers, if possible.
Label materials that are not in their original containers.
Label unknown items to the extent possible. If unaware of a specific product name, provide product category such as pesticide or cleaning product.
Place containers into cardboard boxes and use crumpled newspaper in boxes to prevent breakage.
Place leaking containers within a larger plastic container containing an absorption material such as cat litter and seal with a tight-fitting lid.
Put boxes in the trunk or in back of vehicles away from passengers. If you must transport the products in the passenger compartment, make sure there is adequate ventilation.
DO NOT smoke while transporting hazardous materials.

For additional information regarding Lee County’s new permanent household chemical waste facility, please contact Lee County Solid Waste at (239) 533-8000, or visit their website located at http://www.lee-county.com/solidwaste/.

Driving Instructions from Sanibel to the Lee County Household Chemical Waste Facility:

Take Sanibel Causeway to Summerlin Road.
Take Summerlin Road to Gladiolus and merge right (east) onto Gladiolus.
Gladiolus becomes Six Mile Cypress Parkway on the east side of

US 41/Tamiami Trail.

Turn left (north) onto Metro Parkway. (Sun Harvest Citrus in on the right (south) hand side of the intersection at Metro Parkway and Six Mile Cypress)
Proceed north on Metro Parkway (Crossing over Daniel’s Parkway)
Topaz Court is on the right (east) side of Metro Parkway just north of Crystal Drive.
Household Chemical Waste Facility is at the end of Topaz Court on the left hand side.
Drive up to front door unloading area under the canopy and Lee County staff will unload the hazardous material for you.

-END-