Americans generate 1.6 million tons of household hazardous waste each year.  Hazardous waste is waste with properties that make it dangerous or potentially harmful to human health or the environment. It can be liquids, solids, contained gases, or sludges.  Household hazardous waste is hazardous waste that is generated in a home rather than a business or organization. 

Common HHW include:

• Paints and stains
• Cleaners
• Aerosols
• Laundry products
• Batteries
• Yard and garden products
• Thermostats
• Thermometers
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs
• Electronics
• Pharmaceuticals

Read the product label and look for signal words.  Signal words are found on labels of many different products, although older products may not list these words.  Drugs and personal care products may be hazardous, but not all are required to have signal words.

Signal Words

Poison

Danger

Warning

Caution

HHW is sometimes disposed of improperly when it is poured down the drain, onto the ground, into the storm sewers, or put in the trash.  Some household hazardous waste can injure sanitation workers, contaminate wastewater treatment systems, or leak out of landfills into ground water.  Therefore, it is important to properly dispose of HHW.

Many communities have household hazardous waste disposal programs available for free to citizens.  To find out if your community has such a program contact your county's solid waste department or landfill or city's public works department.  If your community does not have a program, perhaps you could help generate support to create one.  Let your local officials know that diverting HHW is important to you.  Even if your community does not have an official or all-inclusive program, many do recycle used oil, antifreeze, batteries, and refrigerators.  Be sure to ask about the specific waste you have.