At Home ReSource, we want to provide avenues for people to depart with their no longer needed materials responsibly. Our Reuse store takes a wide variety of items, but we can’t take everything. Sometimes you may be wondering “what do I do with ______?” and don’t know the answer. To help answer your question, we’re providing a searchable platform that lists common items we get questions on and helps you find a solution, whether that is reuse, recycle, disposal, or something else. Using the search box below, type in an item you’re looking to part ways with to find the best options for reuse, recycle, or disposal. If the item you’re looking for is not listed, you can suggest new item and we’ll research it, get back to you, and likely even add it to the database.
Paint and Stain - Latex or Acrylic
Good Latex and Acrylic Paint and Stain
Home ReSource will accept latex and acrylic paint and stains as long as they are:
- Less than 5 years old
- Never have been frozen
- At least 1/2 full
- Tightly sealed, non-leaking container with label
All sizes are accepted.
Bad Latex and Acrylic Paint and Stain
Bad paint that is not reusable can be disposed of in your normal trash. Latex or water based paint must be dried before being thrown away. You can put sawdust or kitty litter in the can to dry it out, or if weather permits pour it on cardboard and dry it in the sun. It is EXTREMELY important that latex paint is completely dried before disposal so that it doesn't leach into the aquifer, rivers, soil ect.
Paint and Stain - Oil Based
Good Oil Based Paint and Stain
Home ReSource will accept latex and acrylic paint and stains as long as they are:
- Less than 5 years old
- Never have been frozen
- At least 1/2 full
- Tightly sealed, non-leaking container with label
All sizes are accepted.
Bad Oil Based Paint and Stain
Oil Based Paint and stain that is no longer useable must be disposed of properly as it is flammable and toxic. You can find out disposal options, open times, fees, and schedule an appointment at the Household Chemical Disposal facility at Home ReSource. Visit homeresource.org/hcd for more information.
Spray Paint
Empty Spray Paint Cans
Empty cans can be disposed of in normal trash.
Full Spray Paint Cans
Usable spray camps can be donated to the following organizations:
- Home ReSource
- Habitat for Humanity
Full cans that are no longer usable can be flammable and toxic.
For proper disposal, please make an appointment at the Household Chemical Disposal facility at Home ReSource.
Visit homeresource.org/hcd for more information including disposal options, open times, fees, and schedule an appointment at the Household Chemical Disposal facility at Home ReSource.
Batteries
Small Rechargeable Battery
These types of batteries include AA, AAA, C, D, 9V. If your rechargeable batteries are no longer holding a charge, you can look to recycling at the following locations:
- Home ReSource (fee based)
- Staples
- Batteries Plus (fee based)
Large Rechargeable Battery
These may include laptop batteries, eBike batteries. There are some size restrictions on these, however the following locations generally accept them.
- Home ReSource (fee based)
- Staples
- Batteries Plus (fee based)
Disposable / Alkaline Battery
If they are no longer working, batteries can be brought to the following locations:
- Home ReSource (fee based)
- Staples
- Batteries Plus (fee based)
Car Battery
Most new car battery purchases have a buy back program. If you have an extra battery, you can check with the following locations for recycling. Some locations provide compensation for recycling these types of batteries:
- Pacific Recycling
- Modern Recycling
These are often referred to as lead-acid batteries.
Gasoline
Gasoline, diesel, automotive fuel, and other gas products are flammable and toxic.
For proper disposal, please make an appointment at the Household Chemical Disposal facility at Home ReSource.
Visit homeresource.org/hcd for more information including disposal options, open times, fees, and schedule an appointment at the Household Chemical Disposal facility at Home ReSource.
Motor Oil
Used motor oil can be brought to the following locations for reuse and/or recycling:
- Napa Auto Parts
- Advanced Auto Parts
- O'Rielly Auto Parts
Household Chemical Disposal at Home ReSource does NOT accept used motor oil.
Light Bulbs
Fluorescent Bulbs
Non-working fluorescent lightbulbs should be recycled properly as they contain mercury.
Home ReSource has a fee based bulb recycling program. Find out more here.
Bulb types include CFLs, U-Bend lights, Circle lights
Working Bulbs
Working lightbulbs of all types can be donated to Home ReSource.
Non-working bulbs
Incandescent bulbs, LED lights, Holiday Christmas lights do not have a good recycling option and should be disposed of in the trash when they no longer work.
Computer Monitor
Working computer monitors may be able to be donated. The following locations may accept working computer monitors for donation:
- Goodwill
Most computer monitors can be taken to the following locations for recycling. Please note that recycling fees may apply.
- Best Buy
- Staples
Television (TV)
Working televisions may be able to be donated to a local thrift shop:
- Goodwill
- Secret Seconds
Non-working TVs can be dropped off for recycling at the following locations. Note, a recycling fee may be required:
- Best Buy
Antifreeze
Antifreeze is a hazardous material and must be disposed of properly.
The following locations take antifreeze, but note a recycling fee may be required:
- Napa Auto Parts
Pesticides, Garden Chemicals, Fertilizers, and Fungicides
Ideally, these items are used for their intended purpose. Either using in your yard or home, or giving to a friend or family member.
If this is not possible, these items are accepted at the Household Chemical Disposal facility. You can find out disposal options, open times, fees, and schedule an appointment at the Household Chemical Disposal facility at Home ReSource. Visit homeresource.org/hcd for more information.
Bear Spray
Fish, Wildlife and Parks recommends using expired bear spray cans as practice. Do so safely!
Check out this video on how to pull out your spray and point it towards a bear (or other predator) and release it.
Bear spray can also be turned in to Pacific Steel recycling as long as they are fully empty. Do not puncture cannister unless it is completely empty, and hold and point can away from face when puncturing (do not stand downwind). To empty cannister, take outside and spray all of the contents downwards into a trash can. Do not stand downwind as the spray contents could float back towards you. When the can is emptied, wash hands and arms and avoid rubbing the eyes, nose, or mouth. The can can now be punctured, flattened (optional), and turned in to pacific steel for metal recycling.
Alternately, Fish, Wildlife and Parks may accept expired bear spray to use as testers and demos. They are located at 3201 Spurgin Rd, Missoula, MT and can be reached at (406) 542-5500
Camping Propane Canisters (1 lb)
Empty Camping Propane Canisters
Once all fuel has been burned, puncture cannisters outside and away from any heat sources or flammable materials. Punctured cannisters can be turned in to Pacific steel for recycling. Use caution when puncturing.
Full Camping Propane Canisters
Full canisters can be offered for reuse to friends or family, or through social media sites.
Helium Tank
Empty metal helium tanks can be punctured and dropped off at Pacific Steel.
Balloon Time has great how to information on the ability to Recycle or Store your tanks.
Transmission Fluid
Used transmission fluid can be dropped off at many auto parts stores.
Napa Auto Parts on Broadway will accept transmission fluid, free of charge.
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Hard to Recycle Materials
We’re continuing to work to offer more options to recycle traditionally hard to recycle materials. These items often require special processing and are best if kept out of the landfill.
Fluorescent Tube Lightbulbs
Home ReSource now offers 2- and 4-foot fluorescent lightbulb recycling for a small per bulb fee (T5, T8, T12). Bring your bulbs in to our store for recycling! Properly recycling your fluorescent lightbulbs is important because each lightbulb contains a small amount mercury. Keeping mercury out of our ground and aquifer will keep our areas healthy. Find out more on our recycling page.
We are also now accepting 6-8 foot fluorescent tubes (T5, T8, and T12). More information is on the recycling page.
CFLs
We are now accepting CFLs and other small fluorescent lightbulbs. Find out more on our recycling page.
Battery Recycling
Many batteries contain rare earth minerals that are better to be recycled and reused than thrown in a landfill. And the once common term ‘disposable battery’ for alkaline batteries has added new toxins to our landfill.
Accepted batteries include:
Alkaline: AAA, AA, C, D, 9V
Lithium: Tool batteries, laptop batteries, cell phone batteries. Batteries must be under 300 Watt-hours (Wh)
Silver Button Batteries
We only accept batteries that are removable from devices (ie no cell phones). All connection points of batteries must be taped with clear tape (ie Scotch tape) to prevent fire danger.
We do not accept wet batteries of any kind.
There is a $3 minimum on batteries. Weights are rounded up to the nearest pound.
Household Chemical Disposal at Home ReSource
Appointments available!
We are working with the Missoula Valley Water Quality District to offer year-round household chemical collection, reuse, and disposal options for Missoula. Formally known as Haz-Waste days, this appointment, fee based program will give our community disposal options for unneeded household chemicals and keep them out of our groundwater and landfill. Find out more here!
Thank you for the support!
Home ReSource is grateful to our sponsors for making Zero-Waste systems and tools accessible for our entire community:
