Capital & Infrastructure

Household hazardous waste is any dangerous or toxic waste that is present in your products at home. These hazardous items are marked with warning labels that include explosive, corrosive, flammable or toxic. There are many common items you can find in your household that are considered household hazardous waste such as cleaners, batteries, aerosol cans, oils, paints, etc. These products if handled improperly could be introduced into the environment and can cause a wide range of problems. These products can end up in streams, lakes and rivers which will have a negative impact on the environment as well as the animals in that environment. An example of this would be multiple animals drinking out of a contaminated stream that could eventually lead to death. As for the heath of humans, different household hazardous waste can affect the heart, lungs, skin, etc. So it’s best to handle this waste with caution. Multiple examples of household hazardous waste include:

• Antifreeze
• Car wax or cleaner
• Oil filters
• Motor oil
• Household batteries
• Automotive batteries
• Empty gas tanks (Ex: Propane tank)
• Pesticides
• Liquid glues
• Aerosol products
• Multiple purpose cleaner
• Bleach
• Disinfectants
• Drain cleaners
• Lighter fluid
• Windex
• Fluorescent light bulbs
• Pool thermometers
• Cell phones
• TVs
• Computers
• Cooking oils
• House paints

If household hazardous waste is handled properly, we could avoid the negative effects they can cause. Never pour any household hazardous waste down the drain, toilet or in the ground. If the hazardous waste is poured down the drain or toilet, it may find its way into the water cycle and eventually disturb more of the environment. Some solutions to reduce the use of household hazardous waste would be to ask yourself if you really do need to buy it. If you do, you can try to find more eco-friendly substitutes. Another solution may be to sell or give away your old electronics to give it another life instead of discarding it. You can always bring used oil, paints, electronics, and propane tanks to the Public Works building or contact them at 418-788-3047 for any more questions about where to bring your household hazardous waste.