What is Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)?
Like the term indicates, Household Hazardous Waste is waste found in our households that are hazardous in nature. The labels on these products typically use words like CAUTION, DANGER, WARNING, POISON, TOXIC or FLAMMABLE. Because of the dangers of these chemicals, when they are no longer usable or are unwanted, they should be properly disposed of. HHW should NOT be poured down the sink, onto the ground, into storm drains or put out with the regular trash. Instead, they should be disposed of at a household hazardous waste collection event. If carelessly managed, these consumer products can pollute the environmental and pose a threat to human (and pet) health. Furthermore, HHW have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers and cause fires within the garbage truck or in a landfill.
Types of HHW
- Cleaning Products: aerosols, bathroom cleaners, drain cleaners, chlorine bleach, solvents, spot removers, toilet cleaners, oven cleaners, rug and floor cleaners, furniture polish, moth balls.
- Auto/Garage: car wax, starter fluid, solvent-based cleaners, antifreeze, repair products, brake fluid, motor oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, driveway sealer.
- Batteries: rechargeable, lithium ion, button batteries, and lead acid batteries are HHW. However, all types are including in most collections events. Visit EPA’s Used Household Batteries for more information about the different types of batteries and their environmental impact.
- Home Improvement and Household Supplies: oil based stains and paints, caulking, varnish, paint thinners, chemical strippers, flea collars and sprays, insect repellents, insecticides, kerosene, lighter fluid, lye, mothballs, pool chemicals.
- Lawn and Garden Care: weed and pest killers, herbicides, fungicides, and other lawn chemicals.
- Hobby Products: glues, paints, stains, finishes, contact cement, photographic chemicals.
- Personal Care Products: nail polish and remover, lotions and crèmes, hair color
Managing Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
The best method of managing Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is to prevent its generation in the first place.
- Select the least toxic item to do the job. For example, instead of using drain cleaner, try first using a plunger or a plumber’s snake. Instead of mothballs use cedar chips, lavender flowers, rosemary, mints or white peppercorns.
- Create your own cleaning solutions using pantry staples such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon. But do your research first. Many ingredients commonly used to make at-home cleaning products should not be mixed together. For example, bleach and vinegar should NEVER be mixed, as it can create extremely toxic chlorine gas.
- Visit EPA’s Safer Choice for lists of products that contain ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment.
- Buy only the minimum amounts necessary. Buying in large quantities is not a bargain if half goes unused and must be discarded.
Latex Paint
Latex paint, despite being water-based, isn’t safe to simply pour down the drain or discard in regular trash while it’s still liquid. Liquid paint can contaminate waterways and potentially harm the environment, so utilizing a household hazardous waste collection for proper paint disposal is a healthy alterative for the environment. Usable paint is recycled by filtering out impurities, mixing paints to create consistent colors, and repackaging the paint for resale. Unusable paint undergoes treatment to separate components, with the unrecyclable components being disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. This process not only prevents soil and water contamination, but it also minimizes the need for new raw material, making it a responsible practice for managing excess paint.
Alternative disposal options for latex paint:
- Keeping painting – What better place to put that last pint or so of paint but right up there on the wall where it blends in perfectly with all the other paint you just put up there.
- Paint something else – Use an old piece of cardboard, some scrap lumber, or the inside of your garage. Just about anywhere would probably work to use up that last bit of paint.
- Give it to someone else – For example check with a local theater group who could use the paint for scenery
- Save it for later – many people have saved paint that becomes unusable over time. To prevent this from happening, cover the opening with plastic wrap, replace the lid, making sure the lid fits securely so the paint doesn’t leak. Then turn the paint can upside down! This creates a tight seal, and keeps the paint fresh to use again.
- Let the paint dry out – Pour the paint over an absorbent substance such as clay-based cat litter or shredded newspaper. Let the cat litter or newspaper dry, put it in a plastic bag and throw it away. Or purchase a paint hardener from a local paint retailer. Many such products are a powder which is poured directly in the paint. Once the paint hardens it can be thrown away with your normal trash.
Buying an extra gallon of paint is not a bargain if half the gallon must be disposed of. Only buy what is necessary for the job. Calculate the amount of paint needed for a job with the help of our Paint Disposal Flyer.
Lithium Ion and other Rechargeable Batteries
Li-ion and Rechargable Batteries SHOULD NEVER BE PLACED IN THE GARBAGE OR RECYCLING BIN
Lithium-ion batteries, or Li-ion for short, are used in many products such as electronics, toys, wireless headphones, e-cigarettes, and handheld power tools. These batteries have definitely added convenience to our lives, but they can also cause harm if not properly managed. Li-ion batteries (no matter the size) should never be put in the regular garbage or recycling bin. When the battery is put under pressure, as is the case during compaction in the garbage truck, by the compactor truck at the landfill or during sorting and baling at a recycling center, a fire is possible.
The question then becomes, how to properly dispose of Li-ion batteries and other rechargeable hatteries?
Loose Batteries:
- Place each battery in a separate plastic bag. Place non-conductive tape (e.g., electrical tape) over the battery’s terminals
- Utilize a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection event, either a permanent site (like in the case of Westmoreland Cleanways’ bi-monthly event, a one day collection event, or a program through your garbage hauler .
- Return them back to the retailer you purchased the batteries from.
- Contact vendors like Call2Recycle to find a drop-off location near you.
Batteries within an electronic item:
Simply leave the battery inside the device and bring the electronics to Westmoreland Cleanways for recycling
No matter how carefully you handle Li-ion batteries or cellphones there is the possibility that they can become damaged or are defective or recalled. Keep an eye out for cellphones and other batteries that become swollen, corrode, leak, or show burn marks. If this occurs, store the battery or device in a safe location until the proper disposal option is identified such as inside a bucket filled with sand or kitty litter and away from flammable materials. If worse comes to worse, and the battery does start to smoke, do NOT use water to extinguish the battery, this can release excess hydrogen making it even more volatile. Instead, submerge the battery in sand or kitty litter to extinguish the flames.
Mystery Material
Some materials may no longer be in their original container, may or may not have a legible label, and/or be very old. The material may no longer be manufactured, may be illegal to possess or use, or be intended primarily for use by business and industry. These unusual materials warrant extra care in handling and disposal.
If you are unsure of what a material is, if the container is stable, leave it in the container it is in until it is to be transported to a HHW collection. If the package is unstable (corroded metal can, torn bag), decide the best way to encapsulate the material (glass container or heavy mil plastic). Wear chemical-proof gloves, long pants and long sleeves, and breathing mask. Ventilate the area, being sure to be upwind of a breeze or draft; but DON’T use a fan around powders. Encapsulate the material and store it where it can be undisturbed until it can be transported to a HHW collection. Wash well, and remove and wash clothing after handling any HHW product.
Asbestos
Asbestos is not an item that can be recycled via Household Hazardous Waste Collections, but it is a hazardous item that needs special care when disposing. Read more about proper handling and disposing of asbestos.
Proper Disposal of Fluorescent Lightbulbs
Fluorescent lights, both tubes and CFL (compact fluorescents) contain a small amount of mercury vapor. Which means the bulbs should be recycled to prevent the release of mercury into the environment. Additionally, when the bulbs are recycled, the other components of the light, the glass, metals, and other materials, can be recycled as well. Unlike other HHW material, Fl tubes and CFLs can be dropped off at the Westmoreland Cleanways Recycling center any day we are open for a small fee. The bulbs can also be recycled with your garbage hauler, IF curbside HHW disposal is part of the garbage contract. Many hardware stores, such as Home Depot, Ikea, Lowe’s and True Value, also accept the lights for recycling. Be sure to check directly with the store as not all nationwide chains may participate in the program.
If a CFL or Fl tubes breaks in the home, some of the mercury is released as mercury vapor. To minimize exposure, the EPA recommends homeowners clear the room of people and pets, and before cleanup up air out the room for 10 minutes by opening a window or a door to the outdoors. Shut off central heating and cooling systems as well. When cleaning up the broken pieces, DO NOT VACUUM, as vacuuming could spread mercury containing powder or mercury vapor. Instead scoop the fragments up using stiff paper or cardboard. Use sticky tape to pick up any remaining small pieces. Place all broken pieces and the tape in a sealable jar or plastic bag. Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup material outdoors in a trach container. Avoid leaving any fragments indoors. If possible continue to air out the room and leave the heating/air conditioning system shut off for several hours.
(LED bulbs can also be recycling at Westmoreland Cleanways for a slight fee. Although these bulbs don’t contain mercury, they do contain valuable material and trace heavy metals that can be recycled.)
