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Residential Household Wastes

Counties in Idaho are required to ensure that citizens have adequate household waste disposal options. Household waste may be transported through one or more transfer stations and is disposed of at an authorized municipal solid waste landfill.

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Wastes that are hazardous but are generated in the home do not have to be disposed of as hazardous waste. This household hazardous waste exclusion is based on practicality and not because these items pose no threat to the environment. Consumers are encouraged to follow best practices when disposing of household hazardous waste items. See DEQ’s hazardous waste and pollution prevention pages for more information.

Many county landfills collect TVs, computers, and other electronic items separately for recycling. Contact your county solid waste department for more information. If your county does not have an electronics recycling program, contact local elected officials or consider organizing your own household hazardous waste collection event.

Pharmaceutical and medical wastes generated by households can be disposed of in municipal trash. However, Idahoans are encouraged to follow best practices when doing so. Consumers can use a mail-in program for sharps disposal or use an enclosed, secured container if sharps are placed with municipal trash so that waste collection and disposal personnel are protected. Purchase a sharps disposal container or use a tightly sealed coffee can or similar item. For more information on pharmaceutical disposal see the Residential Waste page. 

Many county landfills collect hazardous items from households separately for recycling or disposal. Contact your county solid waste department for more information. If your county does not have a program, contact local elected officials or consider organizing your own household hazardous waste collection event.

Burning household trash, dumping waste on public land, or disposing of waste at an unauthorized site is illegal in Idaho. Residents can only burn household trash if trash service is not available in the area. Be a responsible steward of Idaho’s air, land, water resources and dispose of waste properly.

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