Clean out your garage and get a handle on your household hazardous waste. Bring it to one of the county-sponsored collection events [link to event calendar]. They are free! Get rid of toxins, reduce your fire hazard … breathe easier!

What is household hazardous waste?
Anything labeled as toxic, flammable, corrosive, reactive, infectious, or radioactive can threaten personal health and safety and is considered hazardous household waste. Examples of hazardous products are cleaners, paint, solvents, swimming pool chemicals and pesticides. Check the labels for words like danger, caution, warning or poison.

Why can't I throw them in the trash?
Hazardous products placed in the trash may end up leaching from landfills and polluting ground and surface waters. Also, throwing them in the garbage can threaten sanitation workers, who can be injured or poisoned by acids, fires and explosions. The simple combination of swimming pool chlorine and soda pop results in a deadly reaction producing chlorine gas.

Can I bury it on my own property?
No. Burying hazardous products in the backyard leads to contamination of soils and ground and surface waters.

Can I burn them?
No. Burning chemicals may produce toxic fumes and can cause explosions.

Can I pour them down a toilet or drain?
No. Dumping household hazardous wastes in a ditch or pouring them down the storm drain causes a number of problems. Pets and wildlife are exposed to chemicals in ditches. Water and soils are polluted by chemicals leaching into the ground and waterways. Pouring hazardous products down the drain or flushing them down the toilet can cause serious problems for municipal sewage systems and septic tanks. Most such systems rely on live organisms to treat the sewage wastes. Hazardous chemicals placed into these systems can kill off these "good bugs" and make treatment ineffective.

Can I store them in my garage or outbuilding?
Storing hazardous wastes indefinitely is also dangerous. It increases exposure risks and fire hazards. In the event of fire, fire fighters, emergency personnel and residents are exposed to much greater risk when hazardous products are stored in the home.

How should I dispose of my household hazardous waste?
Bring in any household hazardous waste (paint, cleaners, etc.) to one of the county- sponsored collection events. [link to event page] Keep chemicals in their original containers and tightly sealed. Leave all labels on the containers. Never mix chemicals. If a dry substance is in a box or a bag, double bag it to avoid spillage. Transport them to the site in sturdy box keeping them upright. Trained professionals will remove the waste from your vehicle and dispose of it properly.

What if I have a question about household hazardous waste or I'm not sure how to dispose of something in my home?
Call 503.434.7445 or email info@ycsw.org for a free brochure or to talk to our helpful solid waste analyst.


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