Is it Hazardous, or not?

Identifying Hazardous Household Waste

Determining whether household waste is hazardous involves understanding the materials and substances in your waste. Here are some key indicators and categories to consider:

Common Types of Hazardous Waste

• Household Chemicals: Examples of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) include leftover cleaning supplies, pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, acids and bases such as drain cleaner and cleaning chemicals, oxidizers such as pool chemicals or hydrogen peroxide; flammable liquids such as gasoline and fuel additives, petroleum products, oil based paints, thinners and stains; items containing mercury, such as fluorescent bulbs and thermostats and early thermometers.

• Paints and Solvents: Oil-based paints, paint thinners, and varnishes may be hazardous. (Please note, Latex paint is not considered HHW, therefore SEIRD cannot accept it.)

Indicators of Hazardous Waste

• Labels: Check for warning labels such as "toxic," "flammable," "corrosive," or "reactive." (Please note that your HHW must be labeled for us to accept it. If your HHW isn't labeled, give us a call, email, or message, and we will put you in contact with other disposal resources).

• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS): Consult the MSDS for information on hazardous properties.

• Odor: Strong or unusual smells may indicate hazardous materials.

• Physical State: Liquids, powders, and certain solids can be hazardous based on their composition.

Disposal Guidelines

• Bring HHW items to our Jefferson Co. Location. HHW is accepted year-round during regular business hours at this location.

• Participate in SEIRD HHW Collection Events: These events typically happen yearly in May and August. Schedules can be found on our website or Facebook page. (Now is a great time to gather your HHW for August disposal!).

By following these guidelines, you can effectively identify and manage hazardous household waste.