Household Hazardous Waste Management

Looking to dispose of Hazardous Waste? Find Recycling and Disposal centers with the Ohio EPA's recycling and environmental service providers search.

The modern ethic of environmental stewardship that underlies many people’s interest in recycling began with the awareness that many of the synthetic chemicals we make and use pose a threat to public and environmental health.

Rachel Carson’s 1962 book, Silent Spring, made people realize that the insecticide DDT was building up in the food chain, killing birds, animals and people with cancer and genetic damage.

From paints and solvents to herbicides and household cleansers, many of the products we buy contain toxic chemicals which can be a threat even when used properly, let alone when they are disposed indiscriminately. This awareness gave birth to the modern environmental movement, spurred greater government environmental legislation and inspired greater recycling efforts.

Household hazardous waste (HHW) in Ohio

The Ohio Division of Recycling and Litter Prevention is not directly involved in household hazardous waste collections – our grant programs and other efforts are focused on encouraging recycling non-hazardous materials.

But proper handling, recycling and disposal of hazardous household chemicals is an important part of a well-rounded residential recycling program. Most of Ohio’s local recycling offices offer some support of household hazardous waste management.

Again, avoiding waste is better than recycling it. If any of the household liquids you plan to get rid of are usable, try to find someone who can use it. For everything else, contact your local recycling office and find out how their household hazardous waste program operates. Some accept materials at drop-off sites year-round, while most sponsor special collection events once or twice a year.

Also find out what materials they accept, and ask if you need to label or otherwise prepare the containers.

Find out what other disposal options you have. Many garages and recyclers will accept used oil from do-it-yourself oil-changers. Many paints, though hazardous when wet, are inert when dry and can be safely disposed of in the trash.

Conservation benefits of HHW management

• The average home can accumulate as much as 100 pounds of HHW in the basement, garage and storage closets.
  
  
• Reduction and recycling of HHW conserves resources and energy that would be expended in the production of more products, reduces pollution and saves money.