ECONOTES : Free Your Home of Nasty Toxins

The old environmental maxim that “You can’t throw anything away” takes on new meaning when you’re trying to unload the leftover paint from the patio remodeling project.

It can’t go into the trash, the storm drain or the sewer system--that’s illegal. However, there is a place for it. L.A. County’s Household Hazardous Waste Roundups has scheduled three Saturday collections:

* Aug. 7: Cerritos College, 11110 E. Alondra Blvd., Norwalk.

* Aug. 14: Rio Hondo College, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Parking Lot A, Whittier.

* Aug. 28: Hughes Electron Dynamics Division 3100 W. Lomita Blvd., Torrance.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and collection is free.

“We take paint, motor oil, pesticides, herbicides, paint thinner and car batteries,” says Kathi Delegal of the county’s Department of Public Works. They don’t take explosives, ammunition or radioactive materials.

The ground rules? “If possible keep the materials in their original labeled containers and put them in a sturdy box. There’s a general limit of five gallons or 50 pounds per vehicle,” she says.

And where does it go? Most of it gets recycled, says Delegal. For instance, latex paint is used for anti-graffiti projects, motor oil becomes lubricating oil and old batteries go into new batteries. Hotline: (800) 552-5218.