Hazardous Waste Disposal Services
Safe household and small business hazardous waste disposal including paint, chemicals, and batteries
EPA-compliant disposal
Paint, chemicals, and battery collection
Proper manifests and documentation
Prevent environmental contamination
Popular Hazardous Waste Disposal Searches
Household & Small Business HHW Services
Professional hazardous waste disposal for homes and small businesses that generate modest quantities.
Paint Disposal: Latex and oil-based paints, stains, varnishes, paint thinners, solvents, aerosol spray paint cans.
Chemicals: Household cleaners, pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, acids, bases, reactive chemicals.
Batteries: Car batteries, household batteries (alkaline, lithium, rechargeable), button batteries, industrial batteries.
Other HHW: Motor oil and filters, antifreeze, propane tanks, mercury thermometers/thermostats, fluorescent bulbs, aerosol cans.
Services: Curbside pickup for HHW, drop-off at collection events, mail-back programs for some items, business small quantity generator pickup.
Pricing & Cost Factors
Residential Pricing: Curbside pickup: $100-$250 per service. Collection event: Usually FREE (funded by taxes). Mail-back kits: $30-$100 per kit. Typical service handles 50-150 lbs materials.
Small Business Pricing: Pickup service: $150-$500 depending on volume. Lab pack services: $200-$800 per pack. Very small quantity generators: $100-$300 per pickup.
What Affects Cost: Volume and weight of materials. Types of hazards (corrosive, flammable, toxic). Packaging requirements. Distance and location. Documentation needs. Disposal facility fees.
What's Typically Included: Professional assessment. Proper packaging and labeling. EPA manifests and tracking. Transportation to licensed facility. Disposal at permitted facility. Certificate of disposal.
Free or Low-Cost Options: Municipal HHW collection days (FREE, residents only). Retail take-back (batteries, CFLs at many stores). Paint recycling programs (some states). E-waste events.
EPA Regulations & Household Exemption
Household Hazardous Waste Exemption: Households generating HHW are exempt from RCRA hazardous waste regulations. This means no EPA ID number, manifests, or special labeling required for residential generators. But must still dispose properly (not in trash, down drain, on ground).
Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG): Businesses generating under 220 lbs/month hazardous waste. Less stringent requirements than larger generators. Can use household collection programs in some areas. Still need proper accumulation and disposal.
What NOT to Do: Never pour down drain (contaminates water treatment). Never dump on ground (soil/groundwater contamination). Never put in regular trash (endangers workers, contaminates landfill). Never burn (air pollution, toxic fumes). Never mix incompatible chemicals (explosions, toxic gases).
Penalties: Even though households are exempt from RCRA, illegal dumping violations can result in fines $5,000-$50,000 per incident, cleanup costs $10,000-$500,000+, possible jail time for willful violations.
Common HHW Items & Disposal Methods
Latex Paint: Partially dried latex paint OK in trash (most areas). Add kitty litter or paint hardener. Leave lid off to dry. Empty cans can be recycled. Liquid latex paint needs HHW disposal.
Oil-Based Paint: Always hazardous waste. Never put in regular trash. Contains VOCs and heavy metals. HHW collection or retail take-back only.
Batteries: Car batteries: retailers accept for FREE or small refund. Alkaline household batteries: OK in trash in most states (check local rules). Rechargeable/lithium: must recycle (Best Buy, Home Depot accept FREE). Button batteries: hazardous, must recycle.
Pesticides/Herbicides: Always hazardous waste. Never down drain or in trash. Original containers best. HHW collection required.
Pool Chemicals: Oxidizers (shock, chlorine), acids (pH down), bases (pH up) - all hazardous. Keep in original containers. Never mix. HHW disposal required.
Motor Oil: Recyclable at most auto parts stores FREE. Certified Used Oil Collection Centers. Never mix with other chemicals.
Propane Tanks: Many retailers exchange tanks. Some accept empties. Never put in trash (explosion risk). Recycling centers accept empty cylinders.
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs: Contain mercury. Must recycle. Home Depot, Lowe's, IKEA accept for FREE. Some areas offer curbside CFL recycling.
Mercury Items: Thermometers, thermostats, old switches. Extremely toxic. HHW collection only. Some retailers have mail-back programs.
Preparing HHW for Disposal
Keep in Original Containers: Original labels identify contents. Proper containers are designed for chemical. Transfer only if original leaking. Label any transferred containers clearly.
Don't Mix: Chemical reactions can cause fires, explosions, toxic fumes. Store incompatibles separately. Never consolidate to save space.
Secure Lids: Prevent spills during transport. Tape lids if loose. Place in plastic bags for extra containment. Use absorbent material around containers.
Separate by Category: Paints together, chemicals together, batteries together. Makes processing faster at collection point. Some items can't be transported together (oxidizers + flammables).
Remove from Cabinets: Take products to designated pickup area. Don't make workers search your house/garage. Makes pickup safer and faster.
Provide Access: Clear path to items. Adequate lighting. Tell workers about any unusual items. Point out any leaking containers.
Quantities Accepted: Most programs accept "household amounts". Typically 5-10 gallons liquids total. 50-150 lbs of materials. Call ahead if larger quantities.
What NOT to Bring: Explosives (fireworks, ammunition). Radioactive materials. Medical waste. Infectious waste. Business waste to residential events. Unknown chemicals.
Alternatives to Disposal & Waste Reduction
Use It Up: Best disposal is using product as intended. Share with neighbors if you won't use. Many products last years if stored properly.
Buy Only What You Need: Smaller containers mean less waste. Buy for specific project vs. "just in case". Calculate amounts needed accurately.
Choose Less Toxic: Water-based vs. oil-based when possible. Natural cleaners (vinegar, baking soda). Electric tools vs. gas/battery. LED bulbs vs. CFLs (no mercury).
Proper Storage: Keep products in original containers. Store in cool, dry place. Keep lids tight. Follow label storage instructions. Prevents hardening and spoilage.
Share or Donate: Neighbor needs paint for small project? Donate unopened products to Habitat ReStore, schools, community theaters. Post on NextDoor, Facebook groups.
Take-Back Programs: Many retailers accept products for FREE: Paint: Some paint stores (Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore), Batteries: Best Buy, Home Depot, auto parts stores, CFLs: Home Depot, Lowe's, IKEA, Propane: U-Haul, Home Depot (exchange programs).
Rechargeable vs. Disposable: Rechargeable batteries reduce waste. One rechargeable = 1,000 disposables. Lower lifetime cost despite higher upfront price.
Digital vs. Paper: Reduce use of print chemicals, copier toner. Digital photos vs. photo chemicals.
Professional Painting: Hire painters for large jobs. They handle leftover paint disposal. No unused paint sitting in your garage for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does HHW disposal cost?
Municipal collection events: FREE for residents. Curbside residential pickup: $100-$250. Small business pickup: $150-$500. Mail-back kits: $30-$100. Many retail stores accept specific items for FREE (batteries at Best Buy, CFLs at Home Depot, paint at some stores).
Can I put latex paint in the trash?
Dried or hardened latex paint is OK in trash in most areas. Add kitty litter or paint hardener to solidify liquid paint. Leave lid off to dry completely. Empty paint cans can be recycled. Liquid latex paint should go to HHW collection. Oil-based paint is always hazardous waste.
Where can I dispose batteries for free?
Car batteries: Auto parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly) often pay $5-$10 or accept FREE. Rechargeable/lithium batteries: Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe's accept FREE. CFLs: Home Depot, Lowe's, IKEA. Alkaline batteries: OK in trash in most states (check local rules).
What happens if I pour paint down the drain?
DON'T DO THIS. Paint clogs pipes. Contaminates water treatment plants. May pass through to waterways. Fines $5,000-$50,000 per incident. Cleanup costs $10,000+. Endangers aquatic life. May trigger EPA violation notices. Always dispose paint properly at HHW collection.
How do I know if something is hazardous waste?
Look for signal words on labels: "Danger," "Warning," "Caution," "Poison," "Flammable," "Corrosive," "Reactive," "Toxic." If it says "keep away from children," dispose as HHW. When in doubt, treat as hazardous. Never pour unknown chemicals down drain or in trash.
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