Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients

are considered to be household hazardous waste (HHW). Products, such as paints, cleaners,
oils, batteries, and pesticides, that contain potentially hazardous ingredients require special
care when you dispose of them.
Improper disposal of HHW can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into
storm sewers, or in some cases putting them out with the trash. The dangers of such disposal
methods might not be immediately obvious, but improper disposal of these wastes can pollute
the environment and pose a threat to human health. Many communities in the United States
offer a variety of options for conveniently and safely managing HHW.
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HHW Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, and Disposal Options
The options of reduction, reuse, recycling, and disposal-listed in order of EPAs preferred
waste management hierarchy-are all important tools to safely manage HHW. The following
information can help you determine the best ways to reduce, reuse, or dispose of common
household products that may contain hazardous ingredients. Each community is different, so
check with your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for more information on
HHW management options in your area.
Benefits of Proper HHW Management

Reduction and recycling of HHW conserves resources and energy that would be
expended in the production of more products.

Reuse of hazardous household products can save money and reduce the need for
generating hazardous substances.

Proper disposal prevents pollution that could endanger human health and the
environment.

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Reduction at Home
Consider reducing your purchase of products that contain hazardous ingredients. Learn about
the use of alternative methods or productswithout hazardous ingredientsfor some
common household needs.
To avoid the potential risks associated with household hazardous wastes, it is important that
people always monitor the use, storage, and disposal of products with potentially hazardous
substances in their homes. Below are some tips for individuals to follow in their own homes:

Use and store products containing hazardous substances carefully to prevent any
accidents at home. Never store hazardous products in food containers; keep them in
their original containers and never remove labels. Corroding containers, however,

require special handling. Call your local hazardous materials official or fire
department for instructions.

When leftovers remain, never mix HHW with other products. Incompatible products
might react, ignite, or explode, and contaminated HHW might become unrecyclable.

Remember to follow any instructions for use and disposal provided on product labels.

Call your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for instructions on proper
use and disposal and to learn about local HHW drop off programs and upcoming
collection days.

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Collection OptionsMunicipalities and Local Governments Facilitating Reuse,
Recycling, and Proper Disposal

Permanent collection or exchange. See if your community has a facility that collects
HHW year-round. Some of these facilities have exchange areas for unused or leftover
paints, solvents, pesticides, cleaning and automotive products, and other materials. By
taking advantage of these facilities, materials can be used by someone else, rather
than being thrown away.

Special collection days. If your community doesnt have a year-round collection

system for HHW, see if there are any designated days in your area for collecting solid
waste at a central location to ensure safe management and disposal.

Local business collection sites. If your community has neither a permanent collection
site nor a special collection day, you might be able to drop off certain products at local
businesses for recycling or proper disposal. Some local garages, for example, may
accept used motor oil for recycling.

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Disposal Options
Certain types of HHW have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers,
contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets,
and present hazards to children and pets if left around the house. Federal law allows disposal
of HHW in the trash. However, many communities have collection programs for HHW to
reduce the potential harm posed by these chemicals. EPA encourages participation in these
HHW collection programs rather than discarding the HHW in the trash. Call your local
environmental, health, or solid waste agency for the time and location of your HHW
collection program. Also, read product labels for disposal directions to reduce the risk of
products exploding, igniting, leaking, mixing with other chemicals, or posing other hazards
on the way to a disposal facility. Even empty containers of HHW can pose hazards because of
the residual chemicals that might remain.

http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/hhw.htm Last updated on 11 Maret

2014

Household Hazardous Products List

Answer these questions here:

What are the health hazards?

Can I recycle this?

How should I dispose this?

Where do I dispose this?

Are there safer choices to this product?

Acrylic Paint

Fly/Insect Killer

Oven Cleaner

Aerosols

Formaldehyde

Paint Stripper

Air Conditioners

Fuel filters

Paint Thinner

All Purpose Cleaners

Furniture Polish

Paint, Artist Acrylic

Ammonia

Furniture Stain

Paint, Artist Encaustic

Ammunition

Garbage

Paint, Artist Oils

Ant/Roach Killer

Garden Fungicides

Paint, Artist Tempera

Antibacterial products and Gasoline

disinfectants

Paint, Artist Watercolor

Antifreeze

Glue

PCB-contaminated materials

Arsenic

Hair Color

Pepper Spray

Asbestos

Hair Spray

Pesticides - banned

Batteries - Household

halogen light bulbs

Pharmaceuticals

Biodiesel and home-made biodiesel

Heating Oil
manufacturing wastes

Photographic Materials

Biomedical Waste

Helium Tanks

Rat Poison

Boating Waste

Hobby Chemicals

Recycling

Brake Fluid

Hot Water Tanks

Refrigerators and Freezers

Butane or Propane Tanks

Illegal Dumping

Reuse Materials

Carburetor cleaner

Incompatible Chemicals

Reuse Store

Charcoal

Indoor Pesticides

Rubber Cement

Chemistry Sets

Instant Glue

Rubber Cement Thinner

Chlorine Bleach

Jewelry

Rust Remover

Commercial Gas Cylinders Latex Paint - Residential

Scuba Tanks

Contact Cement

lawn mower

Shampoo

Contaminated Soil

Lawn, Garden, or House Plant

Sharps/Needles
Insect
Killer

Cooking Oil

Lead

Slug Poison

Diving Tanks

Lead-Based Paint

Smoke Detectors

Drain Cleaner

Lice Shampoo

Spot Remover and Stain Remover

Drain Opener

Mercury Containing Thermostats

Spray Paint

Electronics

Mercury Fever Thermometers

Suburban Cities Recycling & Collection
Events

Empty Containers

Metal Cleaners

Televisions

Engine Degreaser

Microwave Ovens

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Epoxy

Model Cement

Toner Cartridges

Estate Household Hazardous

Moss
Waste
Control

Transmission Fluid

Explosives

Mothballs

Treated Wood

Fertilizer

Nail Polish

Underground Storage Tanks

Fire Extinguishers

Nail Polish Remover

Used Motor Oil

Fireworks

Oil Filters

Varnish and Lacquer

Flares

Oil-Based Paint

Weed Killer

Flea Killers

Other Appliances

Wood Preservatives

Fluorescent lights and otherOther

lightssolvents
that
contain mercury
http://www.hazwastehelp.org/hhw/list.aspx

Household Hazardous Waste

Additional Resources

EPA's National Household Hazardous Waste

Tribal Household Hazardous Waste Management
While industrial facilities may use and dispose of potentially hazardous substances, so do
households. Household waste may come from single or multiple family dwellings, hotels and
motels, and other types of residences. Because of the waste substances' chemical nature, they
can poison, corrode, explode, or ignite easily when handled improperly. When discarded, they
are considered "household hazardous waste."
Frequently Asked Questions, on this page

What are the dangers of improper disposal of household hazardous waste?

What are examples of potential household hazardous wastes?

What are some alternatives for some common hazardous household

products?

Did you know....??

Are there any regulations for household hazardous waste?

What can you do to reduce household hazardous waste risks?

How can I get additional information about household hazardous waste?

What are the dangers of improper disposal of household hazardous

waste?

Household hazardous wastes are sometimes disposed of improperly by individuals pouring

wastes down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or putting them out with the trash.
The dangers of such disposal methods may not be immediately obvious, but certain types of
household hazardous waste have the potential to:

cause physical injury to sanitation workers

contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down

drains or toilets

pollute bodies of water if poured into storm sewers

present hazards to children and pets if left around the house

contaminate ground water and surface water that is used as a source of

drinking water if sent to unprotected landfills

What are examples of potential household hazardous wastes?

Adhesives

Latex and oil-based paints

Paint thinners and strippers

Grease and rust solvents

Wood and metal cleaners

Nail polish and removers

Cosmetics

Household polishes and cleaners

Oven cleaners

Drain openers

 Lighter fluids
Fungicides and wood preservatives
Insecticides, herbicides, and rat poisons
Used oil and oil filters
Fuel injection and carburetor cleaners
Antifreeze
Batteries
Broken thermometers
Rat poison

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Did you know....??

Each person in the United States produces an average of 4 pounds of household hazardous
waste each year for a total of about 530,000 tons/year.
The average U.S. household generates more than 20 pounds of household hazardous waste
per year. As much as 100 pounds can accumulate in the home, often remaining there until the
residents move out or do an extensive cleanout.
Are there any regulations for household hazardous waste?
Federal Regulations

Households often generate solid wastes that could technically be hazardous wastes (e.g., old
solvents, paints, pesticides, fertilizer, poisons). However, it would be impossible to regulate
every house in the United States that occasionally threw away a can of paint thinner or a
bottle of rat poison. Therefore, EPA developed the household waste exemption. Under this
exemption, wastes generated by normal household activities (e.g., routine house and yard
maintenance) are exempt from the definition of hazardous waste. EPA has expanded the
exemption to include household-like areas, such as bunkhouses, ranger stations, crew
quarters, campgrounds, picnic grounds, and day-use recreation areas. While household
hazardous waste is exempt from Subtitle C it is regulated under Subtitle D* as a solid waste.
State Regulations

While households do not have to separate household hazardous waste from trash under
federal law, some states have special requirements. Call local or state solid waste officials to
learn what requirements apply to households or small businesses in your area. For state HHW
information click on the state of your choice:

Arizona

California

Hawaii

Nevada

What can you do to reduce household hazardous waste risks?

Reduce by purchasing only the amount you need.

Reuse the products by donating unused portions to friends or community organizations.
Recycle leftover household hazardous products that are recyclable and dispose of the others
safely by participating in your local household hazardous waste collection program. If you
have used motor oil or batteries, take them to collection sites. Contact your city or county's
environmental health, solid waste, or public works department for information regarding
which wastes can be recycled in your area.
Never leave household hazardous products or wastes within reach of children or pets. When
possible, buy products with less harmful ingredients (read the labels) or buy nonhazardous
alternatives* to hazardous products. When using a product, read and follow the label
directions, never mix it with other products, and use it up entirely. Do not dispose of
household hazardous wastes in the trash, on the ground, or in storm or sewer drains. Do not
remove product labels, and do not remove products from their original containers.
For additional information about safe disposal methods, contact the National Recycling
Hotline at 1-800-CLEANUP (253-2687) or visit their Web site.
http://www.epa.gov/region9/waste/solid/house.html