According to RIS Media…
It’s estimated that every American home has an average of 100 pounds of hazardous household waste. This includes everything from paint and thinners to used motor oil, pesticides, bleach, cleaners and even batteries. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) are also considered hazardous waste due to the small amount of mercury they contain.
Dumping hazardous waste down the drain Is not a good solution – even if that drain is in the basement or backyard.
Rethinking Recycling has a great site to help you figure out what to do with your unwanted materials.