Household hazardous waste (HHW) refers to products commonly used in the home that are toxic, corrosive, ignitable, or reactive that have reached the end of their useful life. HHW includes oil-based paints, cleaning solutions, automotive fluids like motor oil and antifreeze, herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals used around the home. One method for residents to identify HHW is to look for warning labels such as "WARNING," "CAUTION," or "DANGER" on packaging. While hazardous materials used in industrial settings are subject to strict state and federal oversight, everyday household use of similar chemicals is largely unregulated and up to the individual to manage, making resident education and access to disposal especially important.

Communities are increasingly working to establish local disposal options for household hazardous waste because the impacts of HHW in landfills can be damaging and costly. The cost of remediation following landfill leakage is exponentially higher than the cost of maintaining landfill safety through preventative measures, such as limiting the amount of hazardous materials entering landfills. As a result, communities have both an incentive and a responsibility to take on a stewardship role for these materials. Collected household hazardous waste requires special handling by licensed professionals and will be properly disposed of in a hazardous waste landfill to assure protection of groundwater.

Education Pitfalls & Best Practices: 

• Many residents assume that, because products are sold for home use, they must be safe to discard in the trash or recycling once empty or no longer needed. This misunderstanding can lead to improper disposal of items that remain dangerous, even in small quantities.
• Continuous communication of the potential harms of HHW through different media like annual mailers, updated website information, and regular social media engagement remind residents why proper disposal is important and how to do it.
• The range of HHW materials is broad, from paints to cleaners to automotive fluids, and programs may vary across the state. Don't forget to include information and photos of what specific materials are accepted and not accepted, how materials should be prepared, and whether or not empty containers are accepted.
• Educators often do not provide information on what to do between the purchase and disposal of HHW. Provide education on how to properly store and label HHW to increase the likelihood that those products are used safely and not forgotten.

Michigan Perspective: 

County and local governments across Michigan have established a network of HHW collection programs, including permanent drop-off centers and scheduled collection events. These programs often require substantial local investment, coordination, and communication to operate effectively. Residents rely heavily on these community-provided options for proper management and disposal, and some communities also offer reuse opportunities by setting aside usable products for other community members.

Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has helped with these initiatives by providing online resources to educate residents on the various options for HHW disposal. They have compiled a county-level directory that includes a direct contact or what organization to contact to find information regarding HHW disposal. EGLE also highlights that donation and retail return can be options for HHW management, depending on the material. This information helps residents be aware of the systems put in place to properly dispose of HHW.

• Household chemicals like flammable oil-based paints, cleaning solutions, automotive fluids like motor oil and antifreeze, herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals used in or around the home shouldn't be put in the trash or recycling cart or bin. The chemical components can leak into the ground and cause harm to the environment when landfilled. Flammable or toxic chemicals could harm workers at a recycling sorting facility.
• The proper management of household chemicals is the responsibility of all Michigan residents. Do not pour cleaners or chemicals down the drain, in the yard, or in the trash.
• Leave original labels on any household chemical during storage.
• The most common method to properly dispose of HHW is through local drop-offs and community-held take-back events.
• Reducing hazardous waste in the home is an effective way to reduce HHW. For example, you can use water-based paint or vinegar-based cleaning products. If you do have hazardous materials in your home, always make sure to properly store and label them, so they are used safely and not forgotten.

How to Recycle:

• Drop-off - County and community HHW drop-off events/drives; some landfills manage HHW drop-offs
• Mail-in - N/A
• Retail/Other - Check for programs at auto parts and paint stores

Importance of Recycling and Proper Disposal: 

HHW products contain chemicals that can be toxic, volatile, poisonous, corrosive, reactive, or flammable, making improper disposal dangerous for people and the environment. When thrown into the trash, these substances can leak into collection trucks or react with other materials, causing fires or chemical reactions. When mistakenly placed in curbside recycling, hazardous liquids and residues can damage equipment, ruin recyclable materials, and expose workers at the recycling sorting facility to harmful fumes or chemical burns.