Campaign Materials - Article
Household Hazardous Waste 101
Unwanted chemicals are considered household hazardous waste (HHW) when their disposal
poses an environmental or health threat. People who dispose of HHW in the trash, down
the drain, or on the ground, can contaminate our water and soils, or harm trash collectors.
If you can’t use up hazardous household chemicals or give the items to someone who will,
then take these items to your county’s HHW drop-off site.
To reduce HHW in your home, try these simple tips:
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Read product labels. They provide a quick, easy way to judge the product's hazard
level. Look for signal words – poison, danger, warning, caution. (Poison is the most
hazardous; Caution is the least hazardous.)
When purchasing products, read the labels and choose products that contain less
harmful ingredients.
Reduce the number of hazardous cleaning products in your home. Use a general
purpose cleaner or non-toxic cleaners such as baking soda, lemon juice or vinegar.
Reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides in your yard.
The following common household items require special disposal. Unless directed to contact
your county for disposal options, take them to your county HHW drop-off site.
Automotive & Recreation
 Aerosol cleaners/degreasers/lubricants/
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starting fluid
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 Motor oil
 Oil filters
Contact your county for disposal options for:
 Propane tanks
Yard and Garden
 Bug spray
 Fertilizer with weed killer
 Pool chemicals
 Weed killer
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Gasoline
Car wax
Antifreeze
Charcoal lighter fluid
Insect/roach/ant killer
Rodent bait
July 2010 - This article was provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board
as a part of the Household Hazardous Waste Education Campaign. Please help us track the
use of this campaign by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description
of how the article was used, the date it will be published, and the estimated circulation of
the publication.
Household Items
 Aerosol cans with product remaining
(empty aerosol cans may be placed in
the garbage)
 Mothballs
 Oven cleaner
 Spot removers
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Drain cleaner
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Nail polish/remover
Furniture polish with solvents
Mercury thermometers and thermostats
Contact your county for disposal options for:
 Batteries
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 Fire extinguishers
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 Propane and other compressed gas
cylinders
Home Improvement and Construction
 Latex paint
(Dried latex paint may be placed in the
garbage. Leave lids off cans.)
 Paint remover/stripper/thinner
 Stain/varnish
 Concrete cleaner
 Furniture stripper
Electronics, TVs and computers
Fluorescent light bulbs
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Driveway sealer
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Glue with solvents
Oil-based paint
Roofing tar
Wood preservatives
Visit RethinkRecycling.com/hhw for more information and to find your county’s HHW dropoff site.
July 2010 - This article was provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board
as a part of the Household Hazardous Waste Education Campaign. Please help us track the
use of this campaign by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description
of how the article was used, the date it will be published, and the estimated circulation of
the publication.